Wedding Planning course + Floral Design class + ORGANIZING (or an attempt at it)

Lately, I feel as if everything is in a bit of a whirlwind. I have so much to do and yet, as one woman, I wish I can stretch the hours in a day so I can get it all done! It's been such a blessing to get to do what I LOVE to do! I'm seriously so grateful that I can say that I just LOVE my job(s). Even when you are doing something you love though, it's easy to get burnt out when you don't take time out for yourself and your family. It's easy for me to think about EVERYTHING I have to get done instead of taking it a bit at a time. I'm learning.

As you may or may not know, I started my Wedding/Event Planning course recently. I have read the first lesson and I feel like I'm hooked! I haven't even completed any projects for the course just yet but it's sooo exciting to finally start this journey (officially).

What I got from my first dose of content so far, is that I really need to focus on organization. I can be organized in some sense when it comes to certain things, like my shop. I use a white board, a calendar, post its and a filing box but I still feel like I can improve with the shop/blog/etc. I'm not the most organized person all around and when planning events, it's a MAJOR issue. So, I guess I can start a "mid-new years resolution" right? {Get more organized}

I also started my floral design class. It's been quite fun so far BUT hard work as well! I really didn't think it would require so much "knowledge" and patience. Haha! I really do enjoy it though and can't wait to actually experiment with my own designs. So far, you have to do almost EXACTLY what is being instructed. The only experimenting I've had is choosing the colors of the flowers I'd like to work with-and even that is hard when everyone is rushing to pick their fav. first. It's great to learn the basics though which is what I need! Here are the 2 designs I have completed so far:

First week was learning to create bows and creating a single carnation corsage

This past week was creating a symmetrical arrangement of a dozen carnations. I tried to create an ombre effect with it. I gave this to my mother for her birthday today. Happy Birthday Momma!

So on top of 2 new courses, I have my beloved shop to keep up with. It's my pride and joy (other than my sweet, adorable son)! Today, I started a few new organizing projects in my craft room and first was my huge box of shipping confirmation receipts and purchase receipts from etsy.

That was organized to a T. Promise.

I also have my white board of orders to complete. I really haven't seen it completely WHITE in a LONG time! As soon as I finish an order, another arrives! It's amazing! 

With that, add the items I need to get done for the craft show in Long Beach, the giveaway items for the Elevate Conference and the new business cards I need to get done by next month.

I feel like I need an assistant at times. I know several handmade business owners that seem to be able to do it all! They are like super people I swear! lol If you are one of those, please tell me how you do it! :)

Anyway, like I said, it all seems to be a bit of a whirlwind right now and yet somehow, this little baby makes it all better. At least temporarily. :)

There's my busy self in a nutshell right now. How do you de-stress? Do you have any great organizing tips to share? :)

Have a beautiful night friends!

A {pretty} styled tea party

A couple weeks ago, I was very honored to be a part of a beautiful styled shoot created by my friend, Aurora Vilchis. She used inspiration from Darling Magazine to execute her vision which turned out just stunning, a word that just so happens to match her character.

Not only was I included in the photos, but I also created some simple, yet colorful floral arrangements and glitter heart toppers for the yummy muffins that were delicately devoured. :)

Since being involved with this classic tea party shoot, I was able to meet several other lovely ladies that have such beautiful hearts. It was a great experience and I wanted to share a little peak into this inspiring day.
{enjoy}

See the rest of this shoot on Aurora's blog.

 Photography + Styling: Aurora from Vilchis Squared
Inspiration: Darling Magazine
Floral Design + Glitter Heart Toppers: Love Sparkle Pretty
Hair + Makeup: Ashley Jael

NEW BLOG DESIGN

I downloaded a free trial of Photoshop and have been working on a new blog design ever since. I just may have to buy it though because I'm quite addicted already. ;)

I  knew what I wanted as far as detail to my blog but couldn't get what I wanted from my trustee "paint" program! lol So, I plunged into this amazing little Photoshop trial and Viola-a new blog design! I'm really loving what I have done so far and I hope you do too! I still have a few changes to make (mostly to the navigation bar and such) but for the most part, I can take a break from it and spend a few more hours with some coffee and my pink glue gun. Hehe.

By the way, see that photo of me to the right? My amazing and talented friend Aurora from Vilchis Squared took it! Isn't she the bees knees? Tomorrow, I will be sharing a tea party styled shoot that she created which is where that photo is from.
Stay tuned friends!
Hope you are having a beautiful Monday!

{I will be GRATEFUL for today} Lake Arrowhead

On a bit of a whim, my husband and I decided to drive up to Lake Arrowhead for some yummy breakfast at Belgian Waffle Works on the lake. This place is not only delicious (which you will be able to see in the photos) but we have some good memories of this place since we ate here while on our honeymoon. It was such a perfect family morning turned afternoon with good conversation, feeding of LOTS of ducks and laughter as we watched our little heart (a.k.a. Levi) run around and have fun.

Here's a little glimpse into our day.

DIY wooden bead necklace

I am sharing a DIY necklace tutorial over at LaBelleMadeleine. Cute wooden bead necklace right? Go see the easy tutorial I created for you gals here!

A cute scalloped necklace + a glimpse into a busy future

I have some pretty creative friends! It's nice to share ideas with someone who just "gets" what you love to do and feed off of inspiration from one another. My friend Tara from Laila's Charming Pieces is one of those friends. See this super cute scalloped necklace? She crocheted this little baby and I adore it! She will be giving some of these away too! "Like" her Facebook page for all the details of her giveaways (a few are happening NOW) + other items she has available in her shop!

Want to know what else I adore? 2013! It's treating me pretty great I must say. I pulled out my calendar and I have some exciting events that I am attending including:

*a bridal show next month (more details soon to come)
*my first blog conference in May (Elevate!)
*planning a friend's baby shower at the end of May
*a craft show in Long Beach in June (Patchwork here I come!)
*a June wedding that I am helping to plan
*I'm planning and styling an event in August for a teen spokeswomen event
*My husband and I, along with some friends of ours, are planning for an Oregon trip around September
*& I'm praying that I can see NY by the end of the year

I also have some classes and courses that will be finished this year along with lots of new pretty items that I am happy to share soon!

I'm looking forward to many events and meeting new people these coming months! It's a great journey ahead!

How has 2013 been for you? Any exciting events this year?

My first pattern COMPLETE...after about a month and a half!!

About a month and a half ago, I took my first sewing class. I have sewn several things but it has always been "free hand sewing." No patterns. No manuals. Just trial and error. I was in need of some actual sewing knowledge though so I signed up for class at Joanns to create a clutch.

I was supposed to create this little bag within 3 hours but with my instructor who is very detail oriented when it comes to sewing, I had to actually reschedule for another time to come back and finish. After about 5 1/2 hours of total "class time," I still hadn't finished my bag. Mind you, this was my first pattern I had ever attempted and again, my instructor (although VERY sweet) was a perfectionist and liked to explain things quite a bit which added even more time. I decided to just take the bag home and finish it on my own. Since it was just the flap and some hand stitching to be done, I thought I would finish it in no time! Well, I just so happened to finish it a few days ago after I made myself put everything else aside to complete this project. Let me tell you, I am soo happy I did!

Here's my little clutch I made. I am so proud of myself for actually completing my first pattern, although it was a little more difficult to read than I thought. Whew!

What are some of your projects you are proud of lately?