pic me a palette : springtime.

photo cred : {gina meola photography}

spring inspired shoot + weekend fun.

Happy post Easter weekend! I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday and got some much deserved time with family & friends! Adam and I spent the weekend with my little sis in Albuquerque, NM and had a total blast! BUT honestly, there is nothing to make you feel older than spending 3 nights in your little sis’ college pad – yowza! It was so much fun seeing Coli in her space, and I’m always so so grateful for any amount of time I get with her. Seeing her this weekend also made me all the more excited for our upcoming trip to Europe too! 4 weeks and counting….wahoooo! I’m now doing the standby travel thing and waiting patiently at the airport for a flight to Denver and then on to Seattle. No luck with a flight last night or early this morning, so currently crossing my fingers for the 10:20 outta ABQ. We shall see!

In the midst of waiting for a flight home, I thought I would share some cute pics from a recent holiday/spring inspired shoot that made its way onto Style Me Pretty last Friday. Jessica of Jessica May Photography asked me awhile back to share some scout. goodies for a fun spring inspired styled shoot and I’m so so happy I did! Jessica’s adorable detail shots sure did brighten my holiday weekend and it’s always such a thrill to collaborate with other creatives! Isn’t that ombre cake by Dianne freaking divine?! For more pretty pretty pics of the shoot head on over to Style Me Pretty.

Happy Monday friends!

photo cred: {jessica may photography}

pic me a palette : bridal bliss.

I had the pleasure of meeting Tabitha at ALT this past January and I can tell you this chick is just as awesome as her adorable wedding was! Her blog is a pure delight and her wedding – full of bountiful color is just something to absolutely admire. Check out more inspiring pics of her day over here.

And seriously, if you haven’t checked out Tabitha’s blog yet – get on over there!

photo cred: {beaux arts photographie via style me pretty}

bow tie wednesday / 33.

wouldn’t this be a rocking engagement or love sesh photo??

bow ties for him AND her? love.

photo cred: {via natural belle}

twelve baskets open house!

January is sure to be a BIG month! I’m already getting geared up for the upcoming open house for Twelve Baskets Catering next month! Food has to be one of my favorite details at any party so I’m super excited to see what Twelve Basket’s has in store!

I’ll be providing a bunch of my vintage goodies from scout. for the evening and will have my own little area of the room. I would love for you to drop by and say hi! There will be a bunch of other fabulous vendors there including entertainment and of course…grub!

Check out all the details here, and don’t forget to RSVP ASAP! Spots are limited and will surely fill up quick! Hope to see you there!

bow tie wednesday / 26.

photo cred: 1 {mprint photography via style me pretty} 2 {nancy neil via once wed} 3 {via style me pretty} 4 {josh greutzmacher via snippet and ink} 5 {chelsea davis photography via ruffled} 6 {via piccsy}

defined: rain.

rain/rān/

noun. the condensed moisture of the atmosphere falling visibly in separate drops OR an added touch of luck on that special day.

photo cred: {braedon photography}

pic me a palette: a blanket in the field.

how sweet is this engagement session by KT Merry? so gorgeous.

happy thursday friends!

photo cred: {kt merry via grey likes weddings}

meant to be.

For as long as I can remember it’s all she has wanted to be. She had a passion and a gift – something everyone saw in her. She had compassion and an ease about her that people, especially little ones, gravitated towards and gobbled up. She had a laugh that was infectious and a smile that felt as genuine as a hug from your best friend. She had set her sights on the bigger picture of life: a family. And nothing would stop her from someday creating her own.

My sister Sarah was destined to be a mom. I don’t think there has ever been a day when I doubted her desire to be one, and I’ve always anticipated that she’d do a far better job at it than I ever would. Kids love her. A LOT. And not in one of those “oh she’s so nice” kinds of way, but in a “this person is something special – someone I want in my life always.”

I’ve always assumed that as a Mom she’d love harder, play wiser and encourage louder than anyone I’ve ever known. She’d be one of those women that just knew what to do for her children without ever being told how to do so. She’d love her kids with every fiber of her being and without a question or doubt in her mind that a mom is what she was meant to be. So on the day that I found out she was pregnant I knew her biggest dream had come true – I could hear the joy in the way she said the words. It was one of those moments that I wished I could actually see the look on her face vs. settling for what my imagination provided me from miles away.

Last week I saw my sister for the first time in months and she looked more in her element than I have EVER known her to be. She had an air about her that just rang “this is exactly where I’m supposed to be” and it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I was so happy to see her so happy, and it was the craziest experience in the world to feel this little person that she’d waited so long for kicking inside her. And despite my years of interacting with expecting couples this was different – it felt different and it was different. There was a connection I had to this belly, to this baby, to this joy that I’d never felt before and it was totally amazing.

And since Sarah was absolutely glowing during our two days together, I just had to snap some pictures of her growing belly and she and Tristan’s love for their soon to be little man.

Sarah and Tristan I am beyond thrilled for you both. I can’t wait to meet Emryk and watch you grow together as a couple and as new parents. This new adventure will come with challenges, but I see you flourishing in your new roles. I wish you a lifetime of family joys and adventures. Love you both and Emryk too! xoxoxoxo – jb.

photo cred: {jenn elliott blake}

love sesh with sarah rhoads.

A couple weeks ago, there I was.

It was 1 am and I was drowning out the eery silence of late night work with another glorious episode of the Real Housewives of New York City. I took a break from a current design to tweet about some random thought fluttering around in my sleepy head. I quickly scrolled through recent tweets on my iPhone and stopped dead in my tracks. NO friggin’ way. No way. NO way!

Sarah Rhoads needs a couple? In Seattle? Next Monday? Um…yes PLEASE!

For those of you who don’t know who Sarah Rhoads is – you should. No really. Stop what you are doing right now and go check her out. She and her husband Chris are only one of the most fantabulous husband and wife duos out there. I’ve been a “super fan” for quite sometime now, constantly flabbergasted by their ability to capture the most intimate and candid moments of their subjects with an ease and emotional pull that glides like a well oiled machine. They are quite simply: totally rad.

So of course, the geeky, photography obsessed side of me burst off the couch nearly pulling a hammy in order to send Sarah an email. The opportunity to spend an afternoon getting our picture taken in a love sesh by Sarah and Chris Rhoads was something you just don’t pass up.

After clicking send and crossing my fingers, I went to bed that night imagining all of the most amazing things I would say to Sarah if I ever got the chance to actually meet her. I would tell her how much I adored her Rue shoot, how much she inspires me as a fellow entrepreneur, how her blog is one of my favorite out there and I would charm her with my amazing wit.

Well none of that actually happened (I was too nervous to say any of those things…I mean I was in the presence of a photography superstar for crying out loud!) but I did get the most amazing opportunity to meet Sarah. She picked us for her mentor session  with Greg Hoskins and made my birthday wish come true.

Sarah and Chris, thank you so much for sharing your talent and humor with Adam and I. It was a total thrill and a half to meet you, and I will cherish these photographs for many, MANY years to come.

photo cred: {Sarah Rhoads Photography}

balloons.

I feel sorry for balloons most of the time. I think they get a bad rap. I think most peeps (or at least it’s what I’m hearing around town) assume that balloons are that tradition saved only for obnoxious 5 year old birthday parties, or for clowns to twist and turn to and fro into farm animal masterpieces.

We tie balloons in bundles outside our homes on the mailbox announcing: “this is where the party’s at!” (whether it be a birthday party, baby shower or summer BBQ). We use them to announce something monumental that’s happened in our lives by having the balloon shout: “it’s a boy!” or “it’s a girl!” or “over the hill!”

…we sure are having these balloons do a whole lot of talking for us, no?!

But, what about love?

Today I’m excited to announce that balloons have found a mainstay in celebrating couples and weddings…yippee! And not in that uber cheesy way, but with a simplicty and flair that is romantic, whimsical, charming and increadibly enticing.

Here’s what I’m talkin’ about…go balloon details! And go LOVE!

xoxoxoxo…

One of my favorite engagement sessions of all time! Metallic balloons + nature!

Cow + red balloon = wedding awesomeness.

Up! inspired engagement shoot!

Dessert balloons.

Balloon L-O-V-E.

Photo Credits: 1 {XO by Trent Bailey} 2 {Pink & Gold by Sarah Yates via Green Wedding Shoes} 3 {Red Cow by Studio Atticus Photography via Style Me Pretty} 4 {Up! by Wildflowers Photography via  The Wedding Chicks} 5 {Dessert Table by Ashley Rose via Jesi Haack Design} 6 {Bride & Groom by We Love Pictures}

local happenings: the one event.

Spring is here, which for Seattle means a couple of things: gorgeous canary yellow dandelions, less rain (hallelujah!) and wedding events! Yipee!

As venues, weddings pros, and brides & grooms alike gear up for the approaching wedding season, many amazing events are happening all over the city. One of which is happening this week, right in my own neighborhood!

The One is a wedding and events showcase being held at Urban Light Studios in Greenwood this Thursday March 31st from 6-9pm. Urban Light Studios is this fantastically funky urban space bursting at the seams with quirky detailing, and the event promises to offer couples the opportunity to mingle with some amazing and talented wedding professionals including my new buddy McKenzie and Jodell from Bella Umbrella!

Come and check it! I’ll be there with my gal pals Mo and Teressa. Oh, and don’t forget to RSVP!

on to baby feature!

Exciting news today!!! The fabulously talented Monica from Mo Hines Photography and I collaborated a couple months back on a “Bun in the Oven” inspired maternity shoot and the photographs from the shoot and design concept are being featured today over on On To Baby! We had such a blast working with the adorable couple that is: Jenn & Ryan, and I am beyond excited and honored to see the shoot featured! Check it out!

twins.

I had the pleasure of assisting in styling a newborn photo shoot a few months ago with my dear friend Monica of MoHinesPhotography. Our friends Huong and Eric just recently welcomed their new twins: Ava and Lucas into their family, and it was such a joy to spend time with them! They are an incredibly beautiful family (doggie included!) and I am so honored to have been a part of their shoot. I got pretty skilled at counting “1, 2, 3!” then removing binkies before crinkly faces and whimpers ensued.

Congratulations Huong and Eric – they are too adorable!

*JB

friday find: itsy bitsy medicine bottle.

I figured with the amount of hours I spend scouting for antiques and vintage pieces for upcoming shoots, weddings, parties & personal satisfaction, it would be fun to post a picture of my favorite antique find of the past week. Sooo, every Friday I will post about my new favorite find under the post titled: friday find.

This week, a Midol glass medicine bottle I found while scouting for Vanessa and Tony’s upcoming nuptials in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on April 26th! You might be cracking a joke, while thinking “a midol bottle! what?! why?!” Well, being the nurse that I am I too giggled when I found the adorable little bottle but immediately gobbled it up.

Vanessa and Tony are both doctors (she in obstetrics, he in emergency medicine) so I’m planning on incorporating medical details into their wedding day design. This particular find will be included in a vignette on their family style reception table, with a few teeny pretty flowers peeking out the top.

Happy Weekend!

*JB