Happy Easter!

I was thrilled with the way these Easter vignettes turned out for Table Seven Antiques. This gorgeous shop in Ghent has been a client of mine for years and lucky for me has turned into a wonderful friendship as well. The backdrop for these photos is a late 1800's bread board. Stunning, right? Just take a few minutes to look around and there are photo backdrops everywhere!

We featured themed basket ideas the week leading up to Easter and it was a big hit.

. . . for the craft cocktails lover

. . . making Good Friday great

. . . basket essentials

. . . for the manly man

. . . for the foodie

. . . must have basket sweets

Saying my Vows.

These last few months have been pretty surreal. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the encouragement and love, the thoughtful messages, those of you who talked me off the ledge (and those of you who pushed me right up to it) and the select few who listened to me whine and praise the whole time. I love every single one of you.

The one and only Kim Wadsworth

While I have many amazing ventures at my fingertips, I feel like my biggest project to date has been the latest issue of Vow Bride magazine. In May, I was hired as the Art Director of the celebrated wedding publication and had no idea just what was in store for me. I've met so many wonderful people, including my editor, Kim Wadsworth. I received a couple new freelance clients, and became more engaged with current ones. My design and writing skills were tested (yes, I actually wrote for this issue).

The girls from Table Seven Antiques

Delicious desserts from Incredible Edibles

But most importantly, I got to play a very important role in supporting the neighborhood businesses of Hampton Roads. One thing I absolutely adore about Vow is how much it loves its community. As you're flipping through the pages, you can really see just how many phenomenal small and local businesses we are fortunate to have in this area. And, how much these florists, photographers, designers and other talents give back - for free a majority of the time!

If you haven't seen the Fall and Winter issue, please pick one up today...or head over to the online version.

John from Glass Gardens

#36: Vow Bride

#52: Freelance

#34: Write an article

#78: Flower Cart

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to see my 92 To-Do's for this Summer - and to see the brave souls tackling their own lists!

Wedding Rentals from Table Seven

I'm so grateful for having met Leigh at Table Seven Antiques. Her daughter, my then co-worker and now dear friend, introduced us when there was a small invitation crisis a few days before Table Seven's first open house. Little did I know how many doors would open through our relationship. Leigh has been so supportive and kind, she's taught me so much about antiques, proper etiquette and manners (which is why I call her my Southern Mama), and best of all, she lets me play with all of her beautiful items in her exquisite shop. 

Most recently, we did a photo shoot at her house showcasing her China rentals for weddings and other events. She sipped on her Ginger Ale and let me go picking through her house to make this shoot a beautiful success. These images will appear in VOW Bride magazine (as ads) and throughout other publications in Hampton Roads.

#75: Photo Shoot

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to see my 92 To-Do's for this Summer - and to see the brave souls tackling their own lists!

Wedding Wednesdays: The Dress

As an avid watcher of Say Yes to the Dress (judge me, I don't care), I can honestly say I haven't watched it once since I brought home my wedding dress. The show is so right (like, you won't end up liking what you thought you wanted) and so wrong (why would you EVER spend THAT much money for a dress?!) for many reasons and lucky for me, my dress experience was an absolute breeze. My Mom flew in for a long weekend. I took a Friday off of work and made three appointments. This may come as a surprise, but I didn't invite anyone else. With my family living in Ohio, wedding plan was all done via email, text message or Facetime calls. I knew I would get so many moments to spend planning and preparing with Mike's family and my closest friends, so this one special day and important life event was just for me and my Mom. Plus, the thought of walking out to a crowd of people ready to "Ooo and Ahh" or "Boo and Hiss" made me sick to my stomach!

I did have some dress options in mind when I started looking. I liked more of the column look, lace, vintage, no silk, fluffy, sparkles, yes to the possibility of sleeves or blush color and it had to be ready in five months. Easy enough, let's go. Silk was our first stop. It's a consignment shop, where all the dresses were runway samples, once wedded or were purchased before but not wedded. The woman helping us was amazing, and we had the whole store to ourselves. I loved that she didn't put me in anything that was so many sizes bigger (because you won't get the right idea of how it'll fit after alterations), nor did she let us get out of our price range.

The first dress I tried on, The Big Bird Dress, as my stepdad called it, actually took my breath away. I liked it! The bird-like ruffles were a little jarring at first. But reality sank in. I was a bride and holy shit, I just tried on my real first wedding dress. Ever. Sounds so silly and little-girl-princess type of stuff, but it was like I saw myself as this woman I didn't recognized. I grew up. I have my own life, my own car, an awesome house, a professional career and soon a great guy to call my husband. My Mom, who was snapping photos of me in these big white gowns was going to be the Mother of the Bride and I was that Bride. Of all the emotions I was preparing to experience that day, dignified and uplifted weren't at the top. I digress...

I tried on two more dresses at Silk, left for lunch where I ate a giant Philly Cheesecake for lunch (yes, the greasiest, fattiest lunch a shopping-for-her-wedding-dress bride shouldn't eat), then went to Ava Clara to try on, what seemed like, 20 more dresses. The store was nice and had lots of beautiful dresses to choose from, but none were like the fit and flare, lacy, strapless style from Silk. So, needless-to-say, we went back to Silk, tried on the third dress again, my mom cried and that was that! We bought the strapless, sweetheart neck, lace Tara Keely dress on the spot and believe it or not, not one single alteration had to be made to it!

It definitely was not what I originally had in mind, but I fell in love with it more and more each time I looked at it. The dress was perfect for the venue, the evening and me. Most importantly Mike loved it - and me in it!

It was also fabulous for twirling!

Textures 4/31

4/31: The Perch Shop Nautical Rope Balls at West Elm in Virginia Beach

#44: Make Bread

Who needs to make bread when you have a out-of-this-world-amazingly-delicious bakery two blocks from your house? Chelsea's newest business, The Bakehouse, has capture my heart (and belly) through their local ingredients, simplistic interiors and delightful concoctions.

And just for the record, I did make bread this Summer. Jalapeño Cornbread for our trip to Farmville.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

The Eastern Shore

The Eastern Shore is one place I've never explored. It was on my 92 Days of Summer List a couple years back but never got crossed off. I had had the opportunity to go a few weeks ago when my friend Tara had a Groupon that was running out soon. Lucky me, I scored a day with her horseback riding, enjoying the local pub and a little thrifting as well.

We started our morning at Pfeiffer Riding Stables for an hour-long horse ride. The farm is family-run (but originally from Michigan, have to love those Midwesterners!) and the owner's son actually guided our tour. The guides were fun and super friendly and the trails were beautiful. My horse, Edgar, had a thing for Tara's horse and liked to rub his face on him and crowd their space. Maybe a little inpatient and nosy like his rider? Ha.

After the trails, we found our way to Kelly's Gingernut Pub. At first I thought it was just "The Gingernut Pub," which reminded me like something out of Harry Potter and was excited to check it out. Come to find out, the restaurant is an old bank from 1907 and you can actually dine in the original bank vault (can you say Gringotts??), walk up the spiral staircase to the loft (Ron's House) and lots of local beers are on tap (i.e. Butterbeer). Enough with the Potter obsession, it was ridiculously cute and the fish tacos were fantastic.

The Eastern Shore is littered with antique stores, flea markets, farmer's markets and markets of complete randomness. This trip we only hit up a couple, but my new favorite is R & T Nautical. Yes, there was a trailer completely full to the ceiling with clothes and a back warehouse room, which was clearly being used as someone's bedroom.... But I scored seven vases, including milk glass, for $7! Next time we drive over there, we're starting early at the flea markets and bringing a bigger car.

Cheerful Chicken Farm

I had the privilege of working with this lovely family farm out in Disputana, Virginia (about an hour northwest of Norfolk). The owners, Shaun and Heather, had a local artist paint his logo in two pieces, they were then photographed and I merged the two, added the colors, shading and wording. Cheerful Chicken raises pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and veggie without herbicides, pesticides or tilling. Cage free, pasture raised and a Veteran...! The couple made their dream of owning a farm come to life and I wish them the very best!

Be sure to check out their Facebook Page and "like" to stay up-to-date on the latest news.

#42: Alchemy NFK

There is so much happening in the Arts District right now. Alchemy NFK is coming right along and is scheduled to open in September. They are asking for volunteers to come out and help do anything from painting to sweeping, so see what their needs are here. The home of Fairview Place and Glass Gardens has been rumored to be part of The Beauty Parlor's expansion, as a coffee shop (I noticed it got new windows in the second level)! The Zedd's building is set to be torn down any day, with hopes to relocate The Plot there. The Texaco Building has been purchased by The Hurrah Players for their new set- and prop-building location. A skate ramp is being added on Wilson Avenue and according to Norfolk Live, Magazine Lane Properties, LLC has purchased three properties on Magazine Street.

I took myself on a date this morning to the Arts District. With my Yorgo's coffee and camera in hand I spent about an hour and a half, walking around taking pictures. A lot of people just see buildings that haven't changed much. But if you take a closer look, there is change happening in every form - from entire buildings to rust on a lock. From lightbulbs to blooming flowers, it's all taking shape.

So, the big question is, how well do you know the Arts District? Can you easily identify the pictures below? Most of them are probably pretty easy, but go ahead, test your knowledge of the District.

top (1), left (2), right (3)

left top (4), left bottom (5), right top (6), bottom (7)

top (8), bottom left (9), bottom right (10)

top left (11), top right (12), bottom (13)

top left (14), top right (15), middle (16), bottom left (17), bottom right (18)

top (19), bottom (20)

top left (21), top right (22), bottom (23)

left top (24), left bottom (25), right (26)

left (27), right top (28), right bottom (29)

30 :)

Go ahead, take a minute to record your answers. We'll have a word from our sponsors...

#14: Take Myself on a Date, #42: Alchemy NFK, and #52: Photo Story, are off the list!
I'm participating in my third annual 92 Days of Summer challenge. Read about the project here.

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Alright here are the answers!

1) the garage

2) acclaimed events

3) 734 granby st. (next to zed's)

4) oj wholesale

5) new skate ramp

6) texaco building (with the moon!)

7 the beauty parlour by q

8) 112 wilson lane (the old horse stables?)

9) 142 west olney (next to the virginia ballet)

10) bob's gun shop

11) back of studio co-lab

12) norfolk printing company

13) virginia furniture company

14) studio co-lab

15) 801 granby, residences

16) top of zedd's (from wilson ave.)

17) parking lot behind the texaco building

18) parking lot next to alchemy nfk

19) the garage

20) alchemy nfk

21) 763 granby st.

22) virginia furniture company

23) exotic home

24) texaco building

25) stark and legum

26) daevid's floral

27) wilson avenue

28) hayne photography

29) zedd's (olney side)

30) 765 granby street or glass gardens/fairview place

Talley up your score and see where you rank!

0-6: Vacant Retail

Have you been to Norfolk before? Heard of the Arts District? Appears not, but if the dilapidated buildings down here have potential, then so do you! Come out and spend a few hours perusing the neighborhood, you'll be happy you did.

7-13: Starving Artist

We understand, life is hard for you. But you owe it to the Arts District, after all, walking is FREE! Better hit the streets and get a little more familiar with a place that is being created for you!

14-20: Better Blocker

You helped build some pallet furniture, you even told all your friends about 'this art thing happening in Norfolk.' Good job! Now, go to the next level and write your city council, contact Alchemy NFK to volunteer, or get a group of your friends to donate to The Norfolk Arts District today!

21-29: Alchemist

You are a forerunner of transforming dust and dirt into murals and skate ramps. Your attempt to convert medieval city laws into a universal zoning permit elixir is almost complete. Keep up the good work!

All 30: Mayor of Arts Districtville

Really? All 30? You deserve free rent for a year, a coffee shop named after you, and a bicycle lane with your face on it. Norfolkians should aspire to be just like you, an Arts District Rockstar!