I'm 25 today.

A year ago, I thought this birthday would freak me out a lot more than it actually does now that it's here.

Today, I feel content. Grateful. Happy.

Surprisingly not old. [though my little sister begs to differ]

I have so much to look forward to in the next year.

With a business to run, a wedding to plan, and a first house to buy, there is simply no time for a quarter life crisis.

Besides, I think I'm finally getting the hang of being a grown up. Most days.

So, this birthday excites me.

I have a feeling my 25th year is going to be one of the best. Bring it on.


[image by Amanda Howland]


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This

Another shop full of art I'm kind of in love with.

Aren't they all so lovely?

Catherine Campbell, you are just amazing.


[all artwork picture above via Catherine's Etsy shop, myfolklover]

And Randy says I'm hard to shop for. [If only he read my blog. And had an Etsy account. So simple, really!]


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This

I'm not letting myself buy any more art until we find a new place in the spring.

But I think I'm having withdrawals.

Addicted to whimsical illustrations in creamy pastel colors? Who me?

Maybe.

I'm coveting these two sweet deer at the moment.

And pretty much everything in Leah Duncan's shop.

I hope our future house has plenty of wall space.


Deer prints:
1. A Deer Wearing Gym Socks by Charmaine Olivia
2. Growing Horns by Leah Duncan


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This

Such a stylish, yet kid-friendly space.

Isn't that couch amazing? I want.

And how 'bout the mini armchair? Completely adorable.

Kind of makes me want a tiny person to put in that tiny chair. Ok, maybe not quite yet.

Check out more cool spaces for kiddos over here!

[via shelterpop]


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This

A couple of beautiful images by Alec Vanderboom...

Our future wedding photographer!

I am a tiny bit obsessed.

Alec's unique style is exactly what I was looking for.

I can't wait to see how he captures our day.


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This

Did you happen to catch that crazy long last name on the back of our Save the Dates?

The one that will be mine in a matter of months?

F-A-N-K-H-A-U-S-E-R

Yep, that will be fun to get used to.

But really, I'm so looking forward to it.

Everyone in Randy's tiny hometown knows his family. Just say the name and you will feel instantly welcome. I love that our future kids will share their last name with their cousins too. I don't have any cousins with my last name and always felt a little sad, because so many do share the family name on my mom's side.

Last time we were in Kansas, Randy's niece was practicing her signature, while I tried out mine with the new name. It is long, but it's kind of fun to write! She told me sometimes she gets lazy and just writes Fank on her school papers. She assured me her teachers knew it was her. So cute.

No one correctly spells my little six letter last name now anyway. They always go for Stewart first. So I will just have a few more letters to spell out. No biggie.


P.S. How lovely is that F monogram print by Jen Skelley? In my favorite color too. Must. Have.


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This

You guys, I'm so excited.

Last night I finally designed our Save the Date postcards! And ordered them too!

And immediately let out a huge sigh of relief.

I have been stressing like crazy over what our wedding stationery will look like.

As a graphic designer, I felt a lot of pressure to make them PERFECT.

Invitations can really set the tone for an event. But I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted that feel to be. I had some ideas, probably too much inspiration, and I just couldn't narrow it down. I really love the hand-painted wood signs I've seen at a lot of weddings lately, and plan to incorporate some at ours, so that was my starting point. I stopped looking at everyone else's ideas and just went with what felt right and felt like us. A little bit rustic, a little bit modern, a little bit quirky. I really love how they turned out and can't wait to see them printed.

I'm happy to report that I'm not longer stressed about wedding stationery.

In fact, I am now looking forward to the rest.

Happy Friday!


[I also updated our wedding website to coordinate. Most of the content is still in the works, but at least it looks cute!]


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This

I hope I'm lucky enough to catch the next update in the Scarf Shop before they sell out again.

Scarves are just about the only thing I like about cold weather. And I would very much love to have a Regular in Fog to make my winter days a little bit better.


[image via the Scarf Shop]


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This

Lately, I've been doing a lot of virtual wedding dress window shopping.

I haven't actually tried on any dresses yet, but these are a few of my favorites from my online search so far.

I'm waiting to go dress shopping in Houston later this month, so my mom and sister can be there with me. I think it will really hit me that I am going to be a bride, am getting married, once I see myself in a dress. I just hope it's not too hard to find THE dress.

I'm a little worried that there doesn't seem to be much in common among the ones I love. I'm drawn to a lot of different styles and I'm super indecisive. Some girls know exactly what they want, but I am still pretty open. I will probably be the dress shop's worst nightmare, because I like so many!

Randy's favorite is the one on the top left. And he's not a big fan of dresses with pockets! But I think they're cute. I also love the addition of colorful accessories, like those marigold heels and pretty chartreuse cardigan. Though I doubt I'll be needing a sweater in July!

What do you guys think? What wedding dress styles do you love? Which do you hate?

Married readers, how was your wedding dress search? Did you know right away when you found the one, or were you torn between several dresses you loved?

I got a few suggestions on Twitter [thanks @Julosh!] for where to shop in Houston, but I'd love to hear more if you know of any great boutiques in Houston or Tulsa!


[all image sources can be found here]


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This

Thanks to these pretty work spaces, I have the sudden urge to make a wonderful crafty mess.

How 'bout you?


[top photo by Lieven Lahaye, bottom photo by Ellie Niemeyer]


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This

I love this series by Miss Samantha Smith. She is such a talent.

Her cat is pretty adorable too.


Digg It! Add to del.icio.us Stumble This