something i’m working on.

Anytime I’m asked to contribute to an event or shoot as a designer or stylist, I start with an inspiration/mood board 1st. It really helps me to wrap my head around the overall concept of the shoot and helps me hone in on what the overarching story is. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and when I’m asked to participate on something that really excites me, I tend to have a brain that just won’t shut off – inspiration boards help me keep myself in check. Too many ideas can sometimes actually be a bad thing (at least for me) and boards always make me feel like I’ve got everything under control. They are also a great way to make sure you and your client are on the same page – bonus!

Today I’ll be chilling alongside the fab Julie Harmsen while we work some styling/photography magic for the gals over at Blog Brunch. I’m really, really stoked to be collaborating with the BB team as their mission of building a blogging community that is collaborative, inspirational and informative is something I truly believe in. If you haven’t brunched with us yet, head over here to find out more details! When’s the next brunch you ask? May 5th! Don’t miss it!

photo cred : {1, 6, 9, 12, 13 sunday suppers | 2, 8 the burning house | 5 via rikshaw design | 10 lotta agaton via jelanie blog |

inspired board #13: color blocking.

I can’t get enough of all things: color blocked. I’m dying to see a wedding go color blocking bananas…bridesmaids and ALL!

Oh, if I could only do it all over again…

photo cred: {the capital barbie} {via the lingerieaddict} {j. crew via refinery 29} {designspiration} {rowpinto} bow tie & bustle{the adamantic chic} {david stubbs via green wedding shoes}

inspired board #12: winter wonderland.

photo cred: candles {kristyn hogan via elizabeth anne designs} invite {delesie via snippet and ink} {sean flanigan via ruffled} {orange girl photographs via style me pretty} shortbread {cannelle vanille} ski lift {thayer photo via martha stewart weddings} escort cards {sean flanigan via ruffled} resort {luce via style me pretty} scarf {via grey likes weddings}

inspired board # 11: geometric color.

photo cred: invitation {sleepy dreamer} necklace {svpply} pillow {fine little day} art {weekday carnival via design for mankind} escort cards {katie osgood photography via style me pretty} cocoon {moroso via otto} pillow {anthropologie} bedroom {castle} scarf {couverture and the garbstore} mobile {douglas + bec} bag {scandinavian deko}

inspired board #10: take a seat.

I’m always entranced when I come across a wedding or event where alternative seating has been chosen…such a breath of fresh air!

Say buh-buy to chivari and folding – say HELLO! to blankets, club chairs, fiberglass shells and haystacks! Such a great way to surprise your guests and put a unique touch on your day!

photo cred: {turquoise trimmed benches by yeah rentals} {lounge + rustic by troy grover via ruffled} {max wanger via style me pretty}
{haystack via all things lovely} {picnic blankets by wildflowers photography via wedding chicks} {french bistro by abby ross weddings via style me pretty} {kurt boomer via grey likes wedding} {shells by yeah! rentals} {eclectic mix by kristen marie}

inspired board #8: the woven rug.

photo cred: 1 {brita sweden via swedishness} 2 {via rugs direct} 3 {via johnny-tapete} 4 {marla mallett} 5 {sunara ikat via schumacher} 6 {via sun medallion original unknown}
7 {loom} 8 {loom} 9 {via nostalgia} 10 {kilim rug via etsy} 11 {via easy rug} 12 {purlbee} 13 {loom} 14 {via you yeah you}

inspired board # 7 : around the world.

photo cred: {map bunting via etsy} {wall mural via urban outfitters} {jo metson globe interiors via design sponge} {invitation suite by nothing but bonfires} {map pinwheels via etsy} {map wrapped favors via martha stewart weddings} {escort card display by enjoy events co.} {love globe via forget me knot weddings} {teak globe via hilda grahmat}

inspired board #6: ombre.

I’m currently in the midst of handcrafting some ombre details for Ann and Jon’s upcoming wedding on the 19th (think paper chandeliers, a ribbon backdrop and ombre table numbers). I’m totally addicted to the ombre trend right now (hair and all!) and can’t wait to see ombre rocking it out next weekend!

photo cred: {cake shot by leigh miller via inspired by this} {yarn via naturally dyeing} {napkins via purl soho} {love seat by anthropologie} {place cards by mara via once wed} {ombre garland via design sponge} {table shot by becky hill via la partie events} {dress by lela rose via martha stewart weddings}

inspired board #5: farm fresh.

I don’t even own a pair of cowboy boots. Or know how to ride a horse (my first and only experience actually consists of a traumatizing girl scouts camping trip at the age of 8 with which I screamed bloody murder to get off my horse because I was worried he would literally walk straight off the side of the mountain).

I’ve never lived in a farm house or made apple pie from scratch. I’ve never rolled in haystacks or exclaimed “yeehaw” for the mere fun of it.

Yet despite my lack of farming knowledge I’ve always adored farm inspired events. The rustic details and mixes of rich vibrant eats combined with rusted trucks, barnyard dancing and mooing cows is just too yummy to resist. Can you imagine having guests core apples and add them to pie crusts as an interactive favor to take home after the wedding? Or perfectly positioned gingham napkins under stark white porcelain table settings against a perfectly weathered farm table? Yeah, sounds enticing doesn’t it?!

I’m itching to design a wedding or special event with rustic farm details…hmmmm next photo shoot maybe?….

P.S. I’ve thrown in a few sneak peeks to this board of last weeks photo shoot and prop styling for my newest venture…more to come later this week!

photo cred: 1 {cooking necessities by bow tie & bustle & mohinesphotography} 2 {evening setup by chelsea fuss shot by lisa warninger} 3 {farm house by from me to you} 4 {blueberry spill by bow tie & bustle & mohinesphotography} 5 {pie via brown dress with white dots, original source unknown} 6 {bride & truck by jose villa} 7 {haystacks by aric and casey photography via style me pretty} 8 {apples by bow tie & bustle & mohinesphotography}

inspiration board number 3: montmartre.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of collaborating with a team of vendors I sought out by various means (a close gal pal, a couple of ladies I met at the Seattle Wedding Show, a bride recommendation, cold “visiting” a couple boutiques, and a last minute switch-a-roo). I am beyond thrilled and proud to have been involved in such a momentous shoot with such a talented team!

As Monica and I finalize our favorite pics (hours of editing by Monica and even more hours of nitpicking by me) we are getting more and more excited to share the photographs!

In the meantime here’s just a small glimpse of the insanely large inspiration board (this is about a third of the pics I used for inspiration) which I stared at for 6 weeks straight. These pics were captured during my time in Paris this past fall and are pictures I will forever hold dear to my heart.

Aren’t you just itching to see the final result?! Just a few more days…I promise!

*JB

board number 2: winter

It snowed in Seattle yesterday, and as I took my afternoon run through the largest snowflakes I’ve seen in quite some time, I couldn’t help reminiscing about my childhood as a kid back in Colorado…winter blizzards that kept us home from school; turning our flat driveway into a make believe ice skating rink, while using my Keds as skates; snow angels and bright red noses; big, BIG winter coats, sledding down the big hill behind my grammie and grandpa’s house; and snow clumps clinging to our doggies fur coats.

Winter is something that is not absent from the streets of Seattle, just, less “wintery” on most days I guess. This is my 4th winter in Seattle and although we get glimpses of snow and temperatures low enough to see your breath, I still find myself missing Colorado winters…big blustery winters.

So as I peer outside this morning, clinging to the last patches of snow on the grass of my neighbors lawn, I cant help but imagine wintery nuptials. So, as a means to keep my winter daydreaming at bay, I created an inspiration board of my ideal winter wedding wonderland.

Happy Wednesday!

*JB

photo credits:

row one: Laura Murray Photography Cori Cook Floral Design | Our Labor of Love | W + K Studio | Joshua Mullock Photography | Andrea Dozier Boutique Photography

row two: Ruffled | B & G Photography | West Elm | bow tie & bustle | Float Away Studios

row three: Carly Mitchell | Design Sponge | Sakura Photo