feather and branch

This Side of Grief // In Honor of Devin

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 22:19:00 +0000

Grief. It's always been one of those words that I've heard others talk about, but I myself, didn't really know. Sure, I have felt grief different times in my life. We had some rough years growing up, I suppose that was a type of grief. I dealt with some personal issues in my 20's, I guess that was a type of grief. My papa passed away a few years ago now, and that was the roughest loss of my life, up until this point. He was a wonderful man, and I look forward to seeing him again. For sure.

But this? This grief? This grief is unreal. This grief takes it's toll on your body, on your mind, on your spirit...and pretty much everything else.

How do you deal with losing your only sibling after 30 years of always having them? Honestly, I'm still not sure. It's been 5 months today. 5. 5 months. What on Earth...?

There are days where I walk around, and look at people thinking, "you have no idea the hole in my heart. you go on living your life, like everything is fine, while mine fell apart 5 months ago." Of course, those conversations are silent, nothing like I would actually say to people. But hey, you can't really fault me for thinking it.

I've never been more devastated. I honestly wasn't sure how to even go from one day to the next, but the one thing I do know, and as cliche as you might think this sounds, God is faithful! He has been so faithful.

We really believed that Devin was going to be healed. I've never believed something so much in my whole life (other then in Jesus Christ). And then he wasn't. Well, not an Earthly healing at least. I remember sitting on the floor in the emergency room sobbing and saying that God failed us. Yes, moment of weakness, I admit it and am not ashamed. At that time, I felt it, so strongly. How can we believe and have faith, if this is what happens?

But through all of this hurt and pain and stuff, God has shown his loving hand to me. He has guided me and He has brought me into a deeper relationship with Him. My life has forever been altered and changed.

The one thing I won't allow to happen is for this loss to completely overtake me and ruin me. Devin wouldn't want that. However, our enemy absolutely would. I want this valley, this harsh dark valley, to become a testimony. I want to come out stronger, or at least I want to show people God's great and never ending love. I want people to see that life can move forward because we have hope.

Hope is not an ugly four letter word. Hope brings life! There are days that seem so dark and as if they want to overtake me, but God's light just shines a little brighter.

Yeah, it sounds like I have it all together. Well, no, I don't. How often do I sit at my desk at work and cry? How often do I weep in prayer at my bedside, or driving down the road, or at TJ Maxx? It happens, a lot. I'm sad. I'm devastated. I'm heart broken.

But I'm not destroyed. I have hope so much greater than anything I could be provided here on Earth. I get to see my brother again, along with my papa and most importantly, my savior Jesus Christ.

That is hope that nothing and no one can extinguish.

Until then, I will fight this battle everyday with the cross before me as a guide and one day, when my feet leave this ground, I'll be on the OTHER side of grief. I'll be on the other side of everything. I'll be where I'm supposed to be, for all eternity. Until then, I'm on this side of grief, and yeah, it's not a bed of roses.

So if you are struggling, hang in there. Remember to have hope and remember that life moves forward, sometimes slowly and with trials and pain, but get ready...because we have a lot to look forward to.

Love,

Danae

FOUR FABULOUS FINDS

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:15:00 +0000

1. A-thread shop. Really cute shop and they donate 5% of the funds from your purchases to a non-profit of your choice.
2. Blogshop. Cool site that offers weekend boot camp classes classes to help you better your blog by using photo shop. They do in person classes all over the country and give really neat goodie bags.
3. Gold dipped jars DIY. Don't you love these simple but gorgeous jars? Make some yourself!
4. Cupcakes and Cashmere the book AND the blog. Fun and pretty book that offers tips on lifestyle, entertaining and living a fabulous life.

I hope you enjoy your weekend and have some fun checking out the fabulous finds above.

I WEAR ORANGE

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:22:00 +0000

I wear orange for my brother. Orange is the support color for Leukemia.

My brother Devin was RE-diagnosed Monday with ALL (acute lymphocytic leukemia) with the Philadelphia chromosome. This is the 3rd time and he has been living without cancer for 20 years now. Do you know how rare it is to relapse with the same type of cancer, especially the type he has? It's unheard of.

Talk about a miracle. And God is going to do it again. There is no doubt. Sure, it's been scary, exhausting, frustrating, infuriating, confusing, mind blowing, stupid, lame, sad, faith depleting, faith enhancing (I could go on and on). Yes, it's basically been a big ball of emotions. But in all actuality, we're not scared of the end result. We're more bummed about the road. The road is the hard part. The chemo, the medicine, the bone marrow tests, the exhaustion. The road sucks. No other way to put it. But we have a God that is unbelievable and we fully trust in Him. This just started, but we're ready for it to be over.

I was tested Monday to see if I could be a potential donor for a BMT (bone marrow transplant), I'll know in 7 days. Of course we pray that it doesn't come to that, but if it does, as a sibling I have a 1 in 4 chance of being a match. Devin doesn't want me to be a match, just because he doesn't want me to have to go through the pain of doing the transplant IF he had to get one. Of course, I'd give my left leg, but we'll see how it goes. According to the Dr's, the BMT is not as painful as it used to be, so, that's somewhat comforting.

Dev and I one week before his diagnosis. He was already feeling pretty bad.

My new ring. A reminder of the Hope that we have.

Due to Devin's lack of insurance right now, any donations to help out with expenses would be unbelievably helpful. If you are able to donate, please check out this link and give what you can. http://devin.verret.cfslive.org/.

Anything you could give would be helpful. Of course, we'll continue to take those prayers too.

Thank you to everyone who has already given, prayed, called, texted, emailed, stopped by, brought up cupcakes or food, THANK YOU. It really means the world to see how much support we have during this time.

Thank you all for fighting along with us. In the meantime, find something orange for yourself to wear here.

DESSERT BARS

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 21:38:00 +0000

Dessert is the best part of any meal. Some say you should have dessert first, so you can make sure you have room for it. :) I love anything sweet, and I love beautiful decor and inspired design. Why not mix the two?

Sweets and Dessert bars are a huge hit at weddings and parties, and we can see why. Sweet sugary delights all in one place, designed beautifully with charming take home bags...of course I'd stop by on my way out of the party! Caramels, Madeleine's, macaroons, chocolates and more. The ultimate treat bar. You can keep it simple or go all out. Either way, it will charm the pants off of your guests and have them smiling all evening.

My friend Monica (of Dirty Bombshells) and I are endeavoring to start our own Stylishly Sweet business this year and would love for you to get involved. Do you need a sweets bar at your next event? We're ready to get started and would love to help you. While we're getting all of our business plans in line, we'd be willing to set up with plenty of awesome decor, refill and tear down and all you need to pay for are the actual treats. We'd only do this for the first few customers of course, just to get our feet wet. We both have plenty of event planning experience for both small and large events, and we're ready to get out there and help with yours! This is a smashing deal for someone who is trying to save some money right now, or is doing their event on a budget. We'd love to help. Send me an email at featherandbranch@gmail.com and let us know what you need. We'll get back to you very soon.

In the meantime, here is some eye candy to inspire you. Check out more on my Pinterest board here.

source

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME...YOU WERE TRULY HAPPY?

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:00:00 +0000

People say happiness is relative. What do you think?

I think those people are right.

"Happiness does not depend on real quality of life" I like that.

I honestly believe you can be happy in good times and yes, even the ugly bad times. Sure, the bad times, well, they are no fun and it's very hard to see the silver lining sometimes. However, did you know, that in some of the poorest countries, happiness is higher than what it is in America? I think that's because we have so much and we constantly want more. We constantly want the next thing, the next gadget, the next i-whatever. I'm just as guilty, but I've found it's really the experiences in life that make us happy. Not the things.

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When was the last time you were truly happy? I mean, TRULY happy? I'd have to say my proposal was the last time I was just unbelievably happy. Like, hugging kittens, happy. I cried and laughed, all out of sheer happiness. Yeah, that doesn't happen often, that was a different type of happiness. I can tell you that I'm pretty happy most of the time though. I mean, I'm a Gemini so I definitely go into the mully grubbs like once a month (and no, it's not because of what you think...eww) but I just feel life is to short to not be happy. Don't get me wrong, I'm very far from perfect, and when I'm in those mully grubbs that I mentioned in the previous sentence, yeah, please don't come around (or when I haven't eaten and my blood sugar is low, don't come around then either).

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We all need things to remind us of what makes us happy. Here are some tips to get to that place, I mean, you know, when you really need to. Not saying you do, maybe you are always in that place. So to you that are, I applaud you and ask that you share YOUR tips with ME. :) For those that need a little extra help sometimes, read on, maybe you will be inspired.

1. Give to someone.

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Give to someone with needs greater than yours. Gifts can be free, whether you volunteer at a soup kitchen, give blood at a blood drive, or bake a cake for a shut in, you can be greatly reminded of your true happiness, when you give of yourself to others. It's really the easiest thing we can do and sometimes seeing someone with different needs than yourself can help you remember what you are truly happy about in life.

2. Go outside and take a deep breath.

Yes, go outside, breath deeply and just let it all go. Smile, look at God's beautiful creation and think back on your happiest moments. Those moments were happy for a reason, what were they? You can have that again.

3. Do something exciting, something you've never done before. Scare yourself.

Sometimes, we just need to feel alive to remember what it feels like to be really happy. When our lives become mundane and we have the same routine everyday, our joy can start to fade. Why not go and do something crazy? Something that scares you silly, but shows you what life is really all about. It's about those new experiences, it's about learning something you never knew. It's about being crazy sometimes. Obviously be smart when you do these crazy things, and don't do anything reckless. Crazy doesn't have to mean skydiving or riding motorcycles, sometimes it means going to a local restaurant and getting to know the couple beside you. Sometime crazy means trying out a new hairstyle that you were always afraid to try, but really wanted to. Sometimes crazy is telling that someone you love, you love them, when you've been to scared to. Whatever your crazy is, why not do it as soon as possible?

4. Hug those dear to you. Really hug them.

Hugging can release stress, calm you down and lower your heart rate. So, hug it out already! Hugging helps you remember why you love that person. Breath them in and get your squeeze on. Hugging is sheer happiness.

I hope you find one (or all) of these tips helpful at some point. Either way, I believe we all deserve true happiness and I wish that for each of you.

What makes you truly happy?

CHEERS, TO NEW YEARS!

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 16:00:00 +0000

As the days get closer to 2013 and 2012 comes to an end, have you planned your New Years festivities? If not, here is some inspiration to get your party started.

Check out my Pinterest New Years page for more ideas.

mini champagne servings via pinterest

balloon decor via

mini baked alaskas via

glam and glitz via

golden topped smores via

pretty party poppers via

golden photo booth backdrop via

new years sparkly confetti via

pink and gold sparkle hats via

Whatever you do, I hope you have a fabulous and safe New Years celebration. I wish you many blessings and lots of joy in 2013!

YES. 1000 TIMES YES.

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Yes, it's official, I'm engaged. Let me tell you, I'm ecstatic. I've never been happier and I'm so in love with my fiance. I can't wait to plan our special day and I look forward to sharing all of those details with you along the way.

But, just quickly, here are a couple photos of the ring, because I clearly know what's most important. ;)

In love with my Asscher cut diamond ring circa 1920's from Lang San Francisco. My jaw dropped when I opened the box. Talk about a surprise!!! WOW! I was beyond surprised. :)

*sigh*

One happy and lucky girl.

FOUR FABULOUS FINDS

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:00:00 +0000

{Beauty} Aveda hand relief. It feels buttery and the smell transports you to a spa. It's heavenly.
{Book} Blog Inc by Joy Cho. Reading this on my iPad now. Lots of good information.
{Blog} All Women Stalk. LOVE this blog. Plenty of tips and tricks on doing basically ANYthing.
{DIY} Painted/Glitter mason jars. Easy to do and makes an amazing impact.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU...SCARED YOURSELF?

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

I mean, REALLY scared yourself. I mean, like, took your breath away, you couldn't believe you were doing what you were doing and you even thought, "wow, I could die or get seriously injured right now." OK, I don't typically recommend living on the edge to the point you are actually questioning getting hurt, but, I'm not saying you shouldn't do that sometimes either. ;)

The last time I REALLY scared myself was about 3 weeks ago. For those of you who know me, my boyfriend is a huge fan of motorcycles and going to track days. Track days are when guys (and some pretty hardcore gals) take their bikes out, pay a nice big fee to ride a professional track, and go really fast. Sounds dangerous already, I know, but they are actually pretty safe for those who've ridden a lot because it's a controlled environment and there are not cars or bicycles coming out of nowhere. You pay attention to those around you. So, where does me being really scared come in to play?

Right here...

Yes, that's me, on the back of an instructors bike. I decided to take a few laps with him around the track. I had just met him 10 minutes prior. Yes, I'm a crazy person. Granted, I didn't realize HOW fast we were going to go, but he filled me in, after I was all suited up of course. "Make sure you lean with me on the turns. Make sure your helmet is to my right or left, depending on the turn. Don't look down. People always look down, but don't do it. The ground looks a lot closer and we'll be going pretty fast. Just look straight ahead."

Yeah, OK.

We hit the track. It was 100 degrees that day (which means, even hotter on the track), and I was for sure sweating in my rental suit that was just a little too big. When we hit the first turn, I think my stomach was in my throat. I was honestly, totally, scared. Each turn I kept telling myself, "Breathe Danae, DO NOT freak out....don't do it" And, I just breathed. The turns were the scariest, coming out of a fast straight away. We'd slow down pretty fast and I would slide into the instructor's back, lean to the right (or left) with him almost dragging knee and then continue to the next turn and I'd force my butt backwards on the seat so we weren't a motorcycle sandwich. We were passing other guys on the track, which was pretty crazy, considering we were riding 2 up and they were riding single.

(check me out in the bottom right hand corner, hehe)

After the first lap, I almost tapped out, but something in me said "no way! this is thrilling, you'll be fine, just enjoy it!" So, that's what I did. I just enjoyed it, for 6 more laps. Still, stomach in my throat, but it started to ease and I just rode with it. When we came back in to the Paddock, I was smiling ear to ear. Honestly, it was the most thrilling thing I've ever done in my life, and I can't wait to do it again the next Track day we attend. The instructors name is Blue (cool right?) and he told me afterward that we were going over 150 miles per hour on the straight away. HOLY COW! I felt this connection to him afterward, because, seriously folks, I put my life in his hands and I felt like I came out of that ride a better person. He later told me that it's always a risk for him too, so he's extra careful. I'm thankful for the extra careful part, but I'm even more thankful for the flippin awesome time I had. He also told me a I was a good passenger, which was awesome to hear, since this was also my FIRST time on a motorcycle. I forgot to mention that part huh? :P

I have been dealing with a lot of stress at work lately, and when I rode on that track, I felt it all release. UH OH, we may have an addict on our hands now. Living on the edge made me feel more alive than I've felt in a long time. Maybe riding on a track at 150 miles per hour is nothing to you, but man, was it something to me. It was life changing. Yep.

(some before shots)

When was the last time you really did something that scared you? Would you do it again? Did you feel like it changed you? I'd love to hear.

Now go out and be daring!!!

DIY:: FLOWER TABLE NUMBERS

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 03:38:00 +0000

I love fresh flowers. Especially fresh flowers that are inexpensive and gorgeous, at the same time. :) I came up with this fun little DIY to use as table numbers at your wedding or next party. It's easy and quick but the result is quite lovely. Depending on how many you make will determine your cost, but 4 only cost me about $15 bucks!

Here's what you'll need:
Small Metal Tins
Floral bunches
Small spice jars (Ikea, or any other brand as long as they fit discreetly in the tin)
Burlap
Black Paint
Number Stencils
Scissors
Glue

I was lucky enough to find these cute little tins at Michaels for $2 bucks each. However, all you'd have to do is go to your local garden shop and buy some small galvanized tins. Run by Joanne's to grab some burlap, number stencils and black paint. Cut squares of burlap (about 4 inches by 4 inches), let fray naturally. Place your stencil on top of the burlap and blot black paint to create the number. Let dry.

Once dry, go ahead and glue on with E6000 glue. I promise, it holds just about everything.

Fill your little spice jar only half full with water.

Put your jars inside the tins. {easy right?!}

Cut your flowers down to size and start arranging them inside your little glass jars. Try to hide the edges of the spice jar and tin, but if you can't completely, that's OK, it has a very natural look no matter what.

I hope you enjoyed this little DIY and try it out for yourself sometime. :) Have a great day!

FOUR FABULOUS FINDS

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 22:50:00 +0000

I wanted to share 4 fabulous things I'm loving right now. I'll bring you 4 new finds every week, so stay tuned. Enjoy, and have a fantastic weekend!

1. DIY: Flower Heels. How cute are these? You can do these with any shoes and it's easy!
2. Blog: Joy Ever After. Follow her on Pinterest too! She has some beautiful boards.
3. Beauty: Tarte Primer. I use this everyday under my makeup and I love it. It's smooth and creamy.
4. Book: Parisian Chic. Such a fun read. Makes me want to say ooh LaLa. Get it here!

I DO:: WITH A LITTLE FLARE

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 23:09:00 +0000

I love wedding dresses. I could wear something sparkly and fabulous everyday, IF people didn't look at me like I was crazy. :) However, I'm more interested in the unconventional type of wedding dresses. Vintage is my thing, and that's what I would prefer over a Vera Wang (no offense to Miss Vera!). Here are some fun unconventional tips:

* Don't do the typical white! Go for blush, cream or ivory. Wear what looks good on you!

* Wear something a little shorter. Go knee or tea length. And don't forget the ruffles!

*Do sheer long sleeves. It's classy and so Kate-esque.

*Go vintage! They are typically WAY cheaper than a brand new one and extremely unique. You probably won't see 2 that are the same.

What do you think? Do you prefer conventional or unconventional? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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DIY:: SPARKLE PINS

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 01:13:00 +0000

I wanted something sparkly to wear this weekend, but couldn't find "just" the right thing. So, I decided to make that sparkly something myself. I found some round wooden disks at Michael's, glitter, glue and paint, and the rest is history. I hope you enjoy this little tutorial. These are a lot of fun to make AND wear. :)

Here's what you'll need:

I started with the letter D. Fill a small bowl or dish with glitter of your choice. Spread some tacky glue on the letter or shape with a sponge brush. Make sure you get all the edges. Dip the shape in glitter and make sure to press down really well. This will help adhere the glitter to the glue better. Voila! Let dry.

Go ahead and get your paints out and paint as many shapes as you like. I went with a pretty mint color (in satin finish) and gold ( in a metallic finish). I used separate sponge brushes for each of these colors.

You can then do just about anything with the surface, once it's dry. I started adding painters tape and then putting glue on just one side, dipping it in glitter, and getting a unique half and half design. I also put 2 strips about a 1/2 inch from touching each other, to create a cool glitter line down the center. And some, well, I just dipped them completely in glitter. :)

Just hot glue a pin on the back and you have a brand new brooch, with lots of sparkle!

I just love the way these turned out!

Put these on your favorite shirt or cardigan. You can even pin them to your backpack or purse. They are so pretty and versatile!

FLEA MARKET FINDS:: VINTAGE BREAD TIN

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 02:58:00 +0000

I love finding vintage pieces that I can repurpose to fit my lifestyle. I found this gorgeous mini bread tin at the Alameda Flea Market this past week for $14 dollars, and it was love at first sight. All I could think about was the many different uses I could get out of it, so I came up with a few fun ones to share with you. Don't be bogged down by what an items actual purpose was, think outside the box and use it for something new. The options are nearly endless, you just have to get creative. :)

The gorgeous tin, in all of it's glory!

The perfect place to hold your tea selection.

Or to hold your jewelry...

Or, what about your makeup and nail polish?

It's also the perfect place to hold some of my shop supplies!

What would you do with a vintage bread tin like this? I'd love to hear!!

THURSDAY THOUGHTS:: DON'T FORGET TO SMILE

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:15:00 +0000

Aside from my blog and my shop, I also work full time as a Facility Manager for a software company. I take care of 450 people daily. Sometimes, I feel like I run a daycare. :) A couple of months ago I was carrying a lot of stress. I had just moved up into this position 2 months prior, and there was a lot going on. Issues with the building, issues with the employees, issues with just about everything. I had to finally tell myself that life was just way to short to be sitting around stressed out and feeling sorry for myself. I decided to start looking on the bright side. I decided to really try and make each day count. To try and treat every person that came my way as if they were the first person I had interacted with that day. Don't get me wrong, ugh, there are still hard days, but willing my attitude to change has really helped me. I decided to put up words of encouragement and inspiration to look at during the day. I have them to the right of my monitor, and they serve as a wonderful reminder to just breath, make it a good day, and remember to take things in stride. I also have some pictures of my family and my fabulous boyfriend. Seeing their smiling faces helps push me through the day. Just to give myself another boost of encouragement, I signed up for encouraging quotes to be emailed to me every morning. Behappy.me offers one liners to brighten your day. They are very short and not at all spammy. I encourage you to try it out, it's free!

Do you do anything like this or is it just me? I feel like your thoughts really matter, and if they are good thoughts, your day will go a lot smoother. What do you think?

view from my desk at work

another view of my desk at work

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via Pinterest

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I hope today is awesome for you. No matter what comes your way, don't forget to smile. :)

DIY:: LOVELY LAVENDER SCRUB

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:10:00 +0000

With the smell of Lavender in the air from our giant Lavender bushes, I decided I HAD to create something wonderful with it. I just ran out of sugar scrub and decided to go ahead and make my own. Boy, does my house spell of lavender goodness right now! Enjoy this little tutorial!

Here's what you're going to need:

Step 1: Get out a wooden spoon and put your sugar in a bowl. I use anywhere from 2-3 cups of sugar for my scrub.

Step 2: Go ahead and start adding the oil. This can range anywhere from a couple of cups (if you like a more grainy scrub like I do) or 4-5 cups if you prefer it to be a little more oily.

Step 3: This is where you really start mixing. Mix until all the oil and sugar are combined. You can then add more olive oil at this point, if it's too grainy for your liking. The sugar should take on a buttery yellow hue, that's how you know you have incorporated it properly.

Step 4: Now you can add the Lavender essential oil. Of course, you can use any scent you like. I love lavender so that's what I used, but feel free to get creative here. I used about 20 drops. I like it to have a nice strong scent. For a lighter scent, use about half that. I got my essential oil from Whole Foods.

Step 5: I added some fresh Lavender buds to my scrub. Take one stem and scrape the buds off going downward on the stem. Sprinkle a couple of small handfuls into the scrub. Mix well.

Step 6: Place the scrub into a nice glass jar (or any container you choose). I got my jar from Ikea for $2.99. Sprinkle a few extra Lavender buds on top. The scent from the fresh buds is so amazing.

Giving this as a gift? Why not package it sweetly for someone? I'm keeping mine for myself, but this would make an excellent present. I started with some awesome yellow twine that I bought at the hardware store, a tiny clothespin and a small manila tag.

Tie the twine a few times around the neck of the jar, write a sweet note or the description of the scrub on the manila tag and clip it with the tiny clothespin. Simple and sweet.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and make some of your own sugar scrub at home. I promise, you'll love it!

DIY:: MAKE YOUR OWN PAPER FLOWERS

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 21:37:00 +0000

I am absolutey in love with paper pom poms. I've made numerous ones for friends baby showers and wedding receptions, but this idea with the patterns is so lovely, I had to share it. I can't wait to make these myself.

via Wedding Chicks

MONDAY INSPIRATION::BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:31:00 +0000

Monday mornings are hard enough. I needed some beautiful things to inspire me and wanted to share them with you so that you could be inspired too! I hope your day is beautiful and blessed lovelies!

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RUSTIC ROMANCE:: PART II

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:31:00 +0000

Last week I started talking about Rustic Barn style weddings. You can read more about that here. This week I wanted to give some more tips on making this day extra amazing. From decor ideas, to inspiring wedding favors, I hope you find something that really stands out to you and gets your creative juices flowing. This is the fun part, so, let's have fun!

Muted colors, natural flower arrangements and glass jars make this party feel comfortable yet elegant.

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An in-expensive way to add decor to the tallest areas in the barn: Sting white lights and hang paper lanterns. It draws the eye up and is soft and whimsical.

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Have guests find their seats by hanging manila tags with skeleton keys on an old tri-fold shutter screen.

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Don't forget to include old photos of your loved ones at the wedding. This brings in such a sweet touch and it's relatively easy and in-expensive to do.

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Display your sweets and desserts on antique plates, glassware and wood crates. Incorporate different heights with simple handmade treats that will make your guests swoon!

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Display your wedding menu on a folding chalkboard.

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Don't forget to set up a fun photo booth to capture silly moments with your friends and family. There is so much you can do with this, so go all out and have fun with it.
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Another super cute photo booth idea!
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I love these s'more wedding favors! Perfect!
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Another great rustic wedding favor idea. The burlap bags go perfectly with this type of wedding.
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DON'T BE AFRAID TO GO NUDE

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 23:54:00 +0000

Get your mind out of the gutter! I'm talking about nude and flesh tones! :) Nude is the new black. You can wear it with basically anything. Wear nude shoes to make your legs seem like they go on for a mile. Play up a natural looking eye with nude and flesh tone sparkly eye shadows. Go natural on the nails with a creamy beige color. I love this color and it's perfect for anytime of the year.

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RUSTIC ROMANCE::PART 1

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:46:00 +0000

I love the idea of having a wedding reception in a beautiful old barn. The gorgeous wood colors, high ceilings, little lights strung on the rafters and vintage touches everywhere. It's my dream to one day hold my reception in a lovely old barn in the middle of the country somewhere. It may not sound all that glamorous, but I want it to feel like home. After all, that's where the heart is.

via pinterest

via

via yes bride

via poetry booths

via the sweetest occassion

via

via Martha Stewart Weddings

via ruffled blog

Join me next Wednesday for Part 2 of Rustic Romance. You'll find favor ideas, vintage decor tips and menu suggestions. I can't wait to share more with you.

FLORAL BEAUTIES

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 03:08:00 +0000

Lately I have fallen in love with Peonys. There is something so beautiful and so romantic about these flowers. Maybe it's their large, lush round blooms or their sweet shades of pinks and creams, but whatever it is, I want them all over my house. I don't know why I wasn't more in love with them before, but now I am, and I can't get enough.

via southern accents

via Avolli Anew

via Arabia Weddings

via grey likes weddings

via In Bloom New York

via something southern

via Crafty Couture

PHOTOGRAPHY: AROUND THE HOUSE

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 23:35:00 +0000

I just recently purchased a DSLR camera and I'm getting a lot of use out of it. I wanted to give you a really quick (and small) tour of a few of my favorite places around my house. I have plenty more to share with you in the upcoming weeks, but I figured I'd start here. I hope you enjoy seeing a little peak into my everyday life.

Some of my jewelry hanging. I have lots of vintage pieces as well as vintage inspired. I love girly jewelry, can you tell?

A special place in the corner of my girl cave. An antique teacup from my aunt, a Paris snow globe I've had since high school and a 3 tiered antique display. I love the way this looks up against my mint colored walls.

I have a fun little collection of vintage suitcases. These are 3 of my favorite. I have them stacked in the corner and use them for storage and as a little table. They are some of my most favorite finds at flea markets and antique stores.

I have these photos of my grandparents on my desk so that I can always see them. I've always been close to them, so it's just natural to have their photo nearby. The first photo was taken when they were in their 20's. It's from a photo booth in San Francisco when my grandmother came to visit my papa when he was stationed on Treasure Island. The second photo is from a few Christmas's ago, and in this photo they are in their 80's. My papa passed away this past November, so having these photos around just makes me feel better somehow. They were married 67 years. Isn't that amazing?

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. These are sitting on my fireplace mantel. Always a good reminder.

Also sitting on my mantel, 2 gifts from friends. A gorgeous mirrored candle from Anthropologie and an fun box of matches with a good message.

Sitting on my buffet in the dining room. 2 antique inspired candle holders (but actually found at TJ Maxx). I've filled them with corks from bottles of wine and champagne. I love a good cork collection. 2 pieces of antique milk glass finish the look off.

Cream colored picture frames with pictures of me and my love. I love seeing memories around the house.

Embellished mason jar candle holders that I bought for $2 each. They cast a beautiful glow when lit.

Vintage scale sitting in my kitchen garden window. I found this in Indiana and couldn't resist.

Anthropologie herb jars that my mom found for me. They are just SO cute.

GET THE PERFECT FAUX GLOW

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:45:00 +0000

We're smack dab in the middle of Summer, and keeping that healthy glow is a must. I adore what natural sunlight does to my skin and my mood, but in 20 years or so, my SKIN won't adore it. If you have to be out in the sun, make sure you wear a powerful sunscreen to keep from burning and ruining your skin. However, the best way to give yourself that sultry Summer glow, is to apply a sunless tanning lotion. Not only will you look like a bronze Goddess, but you'll also save your skin from a lot of trauma. Here are some of my tips on getting a great glow!

1) Pick a day

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First you need to pick a day that works for your tanning routine. There is a little work that goes into it, so you'll want to set aside 30 minutes to an hour, once a week, to get it done. The best time for me is Sunday evenings. I like to be tan going into the week, and it's one of the only days I have some free time to pamper myself. I always do this in the evening so that the tan can get at least 8 hours of setting time, before I hop into the shower the next morning.

2) Scrub Away

Enjoy a nice steamy shower, shave and then scrub away all those dead skin cells. In order to get a really nice even glow, you'll want to have a smooth palette to work with. Try not to use a sugar scrub that is too oily though. You don't want any extra residue on your skin when you are applying the sunless lotion. Any basic scrub should work. I use this kind, and LOVE it!

3) The Motion of the Lotion

Listen honey, I've used every type of sunless tanning lotion you can imagine. All the cheaper brands you can get at Target. One's that come in spray cans, ones that promised to leave you smelling like flowers or cucumbers or whatever. I then went to the more expensive brands, until I found St. Tropez (pronounced: San Tropay). Honestly, it's a miracle in a bottle. Does it smell? Ehh, it has that tanner type smell that all of them do, but it's not as pungent, I swear. I get the mousse, which is really soft when it goes on and you see instant color, so that you don't miss a spot. The best part about St. Tropez is that they make a mitt for application. No more washing your hands after an application or worrying about being too dark in certain areas. The mitt gets everywhere. Start on your legs first and work your way up. This way you can bend over and you won't have any creases from the lotion. I typically do 2 pumps for the lower half of my legs and the tops of my feet. 2 pumps for my thighs and booty. 1 pump for my chest and stomach. 1 pump for my back. 1 pump for my face and neck. 2 pumps for each arm. The application takes me no more than 10 minutes. Don't forget your hairline. Go a little in onto your scalp so that there is not a "clear" tanning line around your face. I even do my part. You want this to look as natural as possible. Wait about 15 minutes before you put clothes or a thin robe on.
Before the tanning process, rub a little moisturizer on your knees, elbows and heels to guard against those areas getting TOO dark.

4) Maintaining that glow!

OK, so now you are looking lovely with your new tan, how do you maintain it during the week? Here are a few good tips:
1) Shower in luke warm water, not super hot. I LOVE super hot showers, but the tan will fade faster.
2) Don't use sugar scrubs on the areas you want to remain tan. The scrub will take the first layer of your skin off, thus resulting in a faded color.
3) Make sure you moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. I have sensitive skin, so I use an unscented lotion by Jergens, all over my body. It's creamy and doesn't make me break out.
4) To continue your glow all week, you can also use a tinted moisturizer. They come in light, medium and dark and will add to your color.
5) Make sure your face remains the same color as your body. Since we wash our faces a couple of times a day, you can always reapply tanning lotion to your face during the week. It's also good to use a light bronzing powder to play up your beautiful glow.

OK, I hope these tips helped you out. They are exactly the tips I use and I know they work. Are there any tips or tricks you use to have a beautiful tan all year round? I'd love to hear them, drop me a line!

SAVING LACE

noreply@blogger.com (Danae) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 03:33:00 +0000

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Lace is one of my all time favorite materials. It's oh so girly, and I adore it. You can dress it up, dress it down or even make it a little more rock n roll. Of course, I try to keep it as feminine as possible. It makes me think of days gone by, when lace was what so many women wore. It's delicate and sweet. Do you like lace? Do you wear anything lacy?