Long Overdue Vacation

Thank God for great friends! My great friend Robin and I share a birthday, so when she started to plan a weekend getaway for our birthday's I jumped at the idea. She decided on Miami Beach for some much needed relaxation and fun. The warm sea air, sand under my feet, great drink, and oh yeah some amazing food with even better company could not have sounded better.

Our view!

Welcome bag!

A few weeks back, I slipped out of the house and kissed my husband and kiddos goodbye and met up at an amazing apartment that Robin's sister, Tory, arranged for our stay. It was amazing, such wonderful views! I arrived after the other girls and when I walked in it was like being at a resort. We settled in, laughed, had a few cocktails while I gave the girls the custom totes I made for the trip; you knew I had to do it! Before too long we were heading to to Monty's for my chill birthday dinner at sunset. We then headed to The Broken Shaker to complete the night with free drink & birthday cake! I held back on the drink because I was so excited to lay on the beach the next day. If you can't tell I am a beach girl! The food was amazing and the service was wonderful. I've highlighted this spot on many Miami wedding maps over the years, so it was nice to finally see why everyone loves it so much.

Custom Miami Beach totes!

Friday, after an amazing day sipping cocktails in the warm summer sun, we went to Sushi Samba for a great dinner and headed to the Fountainbleau for the Liv Night Club for some dancing. Tory and her smooth talking ways and good looks got 6 sassy women past the ropes and onto the dance floor. The night was already awesome enough, but out of nowhere the lights dim, people begin to look around wondering what's going on when all of a sudden we hear "ladies and gentleman, Public Enemy!!" We stood there jaws agape, laughing hysterically at what just happened. Needless to say we had an amazing night.

Public Enemy!!

Saturday, we eased into the day with another day at the beach and decompressing, and photographing some of the amazing deco buildings, but I couldn't help but think about my family back home. It's hard as a working mom to fit everyone in and take care of myself, but thankfully I have an amazing husband that helps me balance that. After a call home and recharged by hearing everyone's voices, I sat back and soaked in the rays! We decided to head to dinner and lamented about a few cocktails. I knew I had an early morning flight back, so i just sat back and admired the friendships that I have made, especially my connection with Robin. They are truly amazing women that are constantly striving to find the balance between family and career. Now I am back, refreshed, reaffirmed, relaxed, and ready to take on new challenges.

The Ladies!

Doors!

Styled Photo Shoot at The Majestic Theatre in Dallas

Check out these amazing photos from a recent styled shoot at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas. These wood pieces will soon be available in my Etsy shop, also keep an eye out for the laser cut wood items for rent in the Dallas area soon!

We had such a great time working with these amazing vendors: Justin Yoder Studios, The Majestic Theatre, Forever Events and Weddings - FEW, Haute Floral, Annie's Culinary Creations, M&M The Special Events Company, BBJ Linen, Yelibelly Chocolates, Brooke Himes Hair Design, Makeup by Wendy Zerrudo, Muse Lighting Design, Artifacture, Men's Warehouse

The invitations were designed by CW Designs. They were lovely letterpressed by Molly over at Mary & Martin Letterpress here in Dallas. Look close! They have a very cool subtle detail to them with theatre lights shining up from the bottom.

The outer piece was designed by us here at CW Designs but laser cut by our friends at Artifacture in Dallas. They are amazing and can cut so many mediums, I'm anxious to work on more jobs with them!

These laser cut wood "bride" and "groom" chair signs are to die for! I have them in 2 different fonts & they come in gold, silver and natural. I can also do any color you'd like! Love them. They are in my Etsy shop now!

These awesome "Head Table" wood cut signs are going to be for rent soon in the website! They are beautiful!

We used this for the awesome theatre photo shoot but these are great for kids rooms as well! "Baller" for the boys is coming out as well. Stay tuned!

Orzo Chicken Summer Salad

I love this salad that my friend made a few summers back while we lived in Chicago. I thought I might share, it's SO easy and SO delic! Here you go! Enjoy!

1 rotisserie chicken
1 red onion
1 container of feta
1/2 cup rosted pine nuts
1 package orzo
parsley
1 cucumber

A Scottish Wedding!

A few months back a wonderful couple, Lauren and Neil, contacted me about designing a map for their wedding in Edinburgh Scotland! As a first generation American from Scotland I was so excited. I have a few Scotland wedding maps in my portfolio, but they wanted to do something very different. They had my design printed on leather for all the guests! The idea being that the maps would be very unique and durable in the wet weather of Scotland. Looks like the rain held off in the awesome wedding party photo! Anyway, the map turned out awesome and I created a welcome card along with custom door hangers (or Do Not Disturb signs) for all the guests that stayed at the castle they rented out... Yes, that was the word castle, more specifically the Fasque House in Fettercairn, Scotland, about 30 minutes away from my mothers home town of Montrose. The wedding and everyone in it looked simply amazing, and I'm not the only one to think so... The wedding was featured in Brides Magazine! Check out the link below and the awesome shots I got of the map from Lauren. Such a great couple to work with and so cool to have my designs featured in Brides. Just can't stop looking at the photo's!

Photos by John Konkal

Custom doesn't have to break the bank...

Just because you are working on a budget doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice style. In my spare time I have been creating unique stationery from save the dates to signage for my digital download shop. Need a unique invitation or save the date, no problem, just provide me with your specifics and I will modify the invitation or save the date with your location, date, and time. Need signage, bridesmaid cards, etc., just browse my digital download shop. If you need more custom invitations, save the dates, wedding maps, or whatever your little heart desires; I have very reasonable options throughout my shop. I pride myself on providing options for the most lavish wedding to the most intimate of gatherings. Just contact me and I will create something that matches your style.  If you’ve got a crazy idea that you would like to try for your wedding, email me! I will never (or may) tell you that you are crazy, but it will always work because it is YOU!

An Engagement Story

After designing hundreds and hundreds of maps and invitations over the years I have seen my work used used in many fun and unique ways, but this was a definite first. It ranks up there with one of the coolest things I was apart of. A few months ago, I was contacted by a sweet woman looking to help her soon to be son-in-law propose to his long time girlfriend. He wanted a vintage style map outlining all of their firsts as a couple in the city that they love, Manhattan. His plan, and may I say an awesome one, was to hang my framed custom map, printed on lush paper, in the famed bookstore, Argosy. Don't worry, he got the owners permission! He and his girlfriend would casually stop in, like they normally would, to browse some of the cool vintage books, maps, and artwork this shop is known for, except this time it would be different. One of the maps would stand out amongst the other art pieces in the shop. There he would get down on one knee and propose to the love of his life in front of a map highlighting their firsts together. He would hire a professional photographer to capture the moment. Sounds like a great plan huh? Well I am happy to report that he pulled it off and she said "yes!". How could she say anything but? I am so happy to be a little part of their history and honored  that I was entrusted to capture their past. Here's to their future and I'll always be here to create anther piece for all the firsts to come. Check out the lovely photo's they sent me of the day!

The happy couple!