THIS LAKE AND THIS WEEKEND

Memorial Day Weekend always feels like the start of summer for me, because it's the weekend my family opens my grandparents' lake house in Northern California. Every year, these few days would entail the first boat trips, wake boarding runs, the sweet smell of sunscreen, and trips in swimsuit cover ups to the tiny ice cream store in town. 

I am a summer girl through and through, and I live for this season. The thought of the start of it alone makes me giddy. We have to skip opening weekend this year with the rest of my family for a destination wedding (no complaints there!), but we are so excited to be back at this lake later this summer. This is the same lake where we got married, and where countless other parties have been thrown. Being there feels like heaven on earth and it could not be any more special to me.

Summer, come quick. 

LETTERING FOR LOCAL HAVEN

Ashley Martin of The Local Haven asked me to letter a few assets for her Food Styling workshop, and I happily agreed. It was a morning full of beautiful props, tasty food, and good lighting, thanks to Coco + Kelly's stunning 95 Yesler loft. Here are a few sneak peeks. 

Tons of pretty vessels just waiting to be filled.

Beautiful set up inspiration for a party. Those drink tags have been really popular this spring.

One of my three "styled" shots. Watch for the recipe for this amazing and simple salad tomorrow! 

Pretty nibbles. 

This menu is a new style for me and one that I really am drawn too. I love the organic, elegant feel. 

A delicious rose. 

Such an inspiring morning. Honored to have been a guest and a vendor.

As much as I love styling, I think there's also something to be said for purposefully not styling, and capturing life as-is. Only three of these photos were "styled" before taken (the salad, the menu and the wine) and the rest I just saw the composition that was already there and grabbed the shot. I think there is a time and place for styled photos (product shoots, for example) but I really love capturing life unstyled even more so. Just my personal preference. 

All photos here were taken with my iPhone. A few were posted to Instagram, follow along there for more glimpses into my daily life. 

MOTHERS DAY WEEKEND

Happy Mom's weekend! My (fabulous) mother-in-law planned a Mother's Day brunch for family and friends, and at the end of it she gave each of the moms a potted succulent to take home, including me (not an announcement). I said, but I'm not a mom! And she said, but you are a life-giver. I thought, what a great description for moms and mother figures. A life-giver. A nurturer; of friendships, gardens, homes, careers, marriages. Bringing life and hope where there wasn't any before. I love that description and am thankful for all the life-givers in my life.

I also want to acknowledge my friends who have a hard time with this holiday. For those who've lost moms or children, or are struggling with infertility, know that you are thought of today and are so loved. Hallmark holidays can be cruel for those who've experienced great loss, and I hope you felt extra loved and cared for today.

Other weekend highlights: a new-to-us bar. Really fun, great happy hour, so well designed and impossibly trendy. 

Mussels and cocktails on happy hour. 

Trader Joe's in full bloom. 

A sweet, sunny, spring weekend. So very excited for more of these warm days to come.