Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Happy Earth Day! Bringing the outdoors inside today...

Happy Earth Day!

I went outside this morning with my son and picked some pretty garden roses that just bloomed right by our front door. He helped me put this little arrangement together so we could bring a bit of outdoors inside today.

I think we will do some relaxing on this windy and chilly day. Hot tea, vanilla candles, fun songs and yummy Annie's Mac n' Cheese...

Have a beautiful Tuesday my friends! 

How will you spend today?

Monday, April 21, 2014

"She Turned Her...Dreams Into Plans"-Small Biz Reflections


The other night, I stayed up until 12:30am to work on this Spring-inspired dreamcatcher for Elevate coming up in less than one month! I'm so excited to attend this amazing conference yet again. (See last years post & our feature in Artful Blogging). This piece, as well as a pretty daisy crown, will be up for grabs in the giveaways! These one of a kind dreamcatchers are only available by custom order through email: lovesparklepretty@aol.com.

"She turned her can'ts into cans and her dreams into plans"

This really got me thinking about how incredibly blessed I have been since this year started. With the beginning of 2014, it's been such a positive whirlwind of growth, outreach, features, collaborations, new lines and sales for Love Sparkle Pretty.

I honestly couldn't fathom doing anything else when it comes to a "job" which feels like so much more than just that one word. It's truly a passion.

Lately, I've been praying a lot about the direction of LSP. I'm to the point where it can be quite overwhelming for one person to take on alone. Especially since that one person is also a wife and a mother of a toddler...with many other hats to don. I'm trying to do it all-all the time but exhaustion has its moments of setting in. I have hired help-one time. I know I need it, my family knows I need it and my husband keeps telling me that I need it. There's this barrier that has to break to let parts of control go in order to successfully do so.

Your business will only grow as much as one person can handle. Doing the math, if I can hire help, not only can growth expand, but I can do more of "my genious work" rather than some of the tideous, perpetual tasks that take much time. Reading this post on hiring help from Maggie Whitley has really got me thinking...

As my shop is on vacay until May 1st, I am taking some time (aside from completing last minute orders) to breathe, reflect and brainstorm on how I should go about this-virtual assistant? Local hiring? etc. With my first wholesale order going out by the end of next month and a whole new bridal line coming this summer, I need to act quickly yet thoughtfully.

I know quite a few of you have met this fork in the road with your biz and I'd love to know how you got past the barriers &/or handled this situation. Please share! If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them! 

Aside from that, I'd also love to know how your Easter was yesterday! I hope yours was as relaxed as mine (dinner with the family was all that we needed) but I know the stresses of holidays are different for everybody so vent away my friends...

& Have a wonderful Monday!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

The Shop is Now Officially on VACAY!!

Love Sparkle Pretty is headed to The Big Apple! 

In preparation, the shop is now on vacation from April 17-May 1st! Previous orders will be shipping up until the 25th (if ordered before the 17th). After that, all other orders will be shipped after May 1st.

If you have questions about previous orders or future orders, please send an email to lovesparklepretty[at]aol.com. If you send an email between April 26-30th, please email our assistant Tara at taraphilipp[at]yahoo.com as Love Sparkle Pretty respectfully won't be answering emails during this time.

Upon shop reopening, so is the new floral crown line!!

Sign up for the monthly newsletter for special sneak peeks, updates and discounts!

Follow along as Kayla from Love Sparkle Pretty visits NYC and gets ready to launch a few new lines coming soon!

Instagram || Blog || Facebook || Twitter

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

A Compilation of Recent Custom Pieces (a.k.a. "PRETTY" OVERLOAD)

 Lately, I have been creating several custom pieces (hello wedding season)! I love creating custom items that turn out exactly how my customers envisioned their pretty pieces. I adore the different colors and variations of treasures that have left my craft studio here in So Cal that are now in the hands of their new owners.

I have compiled a few of these recent custom made orders. 

Enjoy

This sweet floral crown was made specially for a young girl to match her momma's floral crown. The bride, who is renewing her vows in Jamaica (10 years of marriage!!) will be wearing the Leigh Crown while her daughter wears this pretty crown with added blue detail to match her brother's adorable suspenders and bow tie. I swoon over these stories behind the hand crafted pieces!

This floral crown was custom created for a bride who wanted a piece that was minimal yet beautiful. I used pops of coral hues within the greenery and white and ivory blossoms.

This crown was created for a bride who wanted a floral crown to really stun in the back. With hues of cream and pale pink, this crown also has hand sewn clips underneath to hold the pretty veil that the bride will be wearing on her big day.

This custom crown was also created for a bride who wanted a mix of pretty hues and intertwined natural bark for a bit of whimsical charm. I am in love with this colorful piece!
I had to display this crown on an early afternoon in the craft room. It's just so refreshing! Thank you Tara of Laila's Charming Pieces for my music sheet print! It's a beautiful reminder every day.

This minimal and natural-inspired design is one of my favorites! I love the greenery and small pops of lavender hues. I created this piece for a bride in the Virgin Islands (can't wait to see THOSE stunning photos)! She was the sweetest customer and I'm so thankful I get to work with people like her on a regular basis.

Kelsey, a bride in Arizona (getting married in just a few days!!) contacted me about creating a small custom veil (with removable brooch) and rhinestone sash. I was so excited to make these pieces for her and after sorting through lots of details, we finally came to 2 rhinestone and pearl designs that go together perfectly! So happy for you Kelsey and so thankful I got to work with you!

Back in February, I created this custom piece for a bride in PA. I hand sewn 2 different pieces together to create this flower and leaf design and also added a bit of gold shimmer to a few of the leaves by cutting and shaping floral blossoms. I then hand stiched gorgeous rhinestones throughout the design to complete this pretty bridal comb. It's amazing what you can create with several totally separate items! I just may add this comb to the shop soon!

Emily, a bride in Georgia just recently said "I Do" a few days ago. She wore the Intricately Beaded Feather Headband from the shop for her Gatsy-inspired vintage wedding. This piece wasn't necessarily completely custom but I just adore the photos that I have seen from her photographer-Leslie West Photography so far. I just had to share. :) Congrats again Emily!!

Now how about a bit of baby love? 

These pieces weren't really custom either but these sweet girls bring such joy through their photos taken with floral pieces from Love Sparkle Pretty.

This is my beautiful friend Aurora's daughter (see more of her story and sweetness on her blog here).
Oh Sydney love! You are just too precious for words! Happy 2nd birthday! (Wearing the Ainsleigh Floral Crown).
Photo Credit: Aurora Vilchis

This adorable little gal had her photos taken by Khim from Snaptastic Shots. She is wearing the Ivory and Gold Floral Crown. I just adore her!
Photo Credit: Snaptastic Shots

That's about it for my most recent custom orders round up! It's always such a joy to create beauty for others. If you'd like to place a custom order, please visit the shop or send an email to lovesparklepretty@aol.com.

Thank you so much my friends!

Have a lovely Tuesday!!

Thursday, April 3, 2014

INSTASALE! Daisy Floral Crown for you Coachella Attendees + lover of pretty things!!

Photo Credit: Kayla V Photography

So real quick (I totally forgot to include this in my post earlier today), I am hosting a mini Instasale on my Instagram feed for the Daisy Floral Crown in my shop!! In anticipation for you Coachella attendees (or those of you who just love pretty things), I thought it'd be fun to post a little sale on the sweet Daisy Crown. It's on sale for $32 including shipping (U.S. only)-originally, $42 + shipping in the shop! I only have 4 of these crowns available at this price so don't wait my friends!

Head on over to the Instasale here and leave your email in the comments. Invoices will be sent by the end of the day. Please purchase within 24 hours of receiving the invoice.

Thank you so much! 

Have a beautiful Thursday!

P.S. I shared some EXCITING news earlier today (hint: New York City)!! See my post earlier today for the scoop!!

It's OFFICIAL-LSP will be sold in New York! + SHOP VACAY!


It's OFFICIAL, Love Sparkle Pretty will be sold in New York!

I have finally accepted my first wholesale order and as of July, a limited amount of LSP pieces will be available for purchase in a boutique in Fire Island, NY!
More details to come.

Not only will Love Sparkle Pretty be available in NY but I will be in The Big Apple at the end of the month!! I am so excited that I finally get to visit this history soaken state and immerse myself in creative inspiration and DELICIOUS eats!! Can't wait to post about this experience when I get back. Follow along on Instagram as I go on my little adventure with my momma by my side. :)

To prepare for the trip to New York, Love Sparkle Pretty will be on SHOP VACATION from April 17-25 to process last minute orders and shipments. The shop will re-open April 26th while LSP is in NY. Please keep this in mind when placing any orders.