a bit of advice.

I don’t often lend a lot of “wedding/event focused” advice on my blog, which seems a little absurd since I consider myself an event designer and this blog is in a little way a wedding related blog, but I thought I’d take a second today to lend a bit of advice, so here it goes…

Over the past year or so I’ve seen the trend of the photobooth gaining lots and lots of momentum. And guess what? I’m SUPER excited about it!

When it comes to weddings, I not only believe that the celebration is all about the love of the couple, but I also believe it’s about giving your guests something to get excited about. In steps : mr. photobooth. I’m telling you – this little contraption whether it be a camera on a tripod set up by your photographer, a fantabulous Smilebooth, or a full blown old school photobooth beauty like my friends over at 321 Foto will absolutely, hands-down make your event! I mean who doesn’t want to get a pile of photos back from their event showcasing all of their guest ones goofy faces and photo mishaps? Um – I do!

The top 10 reasons I think photobooths kick some serious bootay:

1. They bring out the kid in everyone. Even grumpy Grandpa Joe or ‘too cool for school’ cousin Amy.

2. Guests get really excited at just the sight of a photobooth. I promise.

3. Pictures last a lifetime. Yep – that means you have a lifetime’s worth of blackmailing material to use against your friends and family.

4. They can be as fancy or simple as you want them to be. Rent one from a company locally or ask your photographer if they have the service available.

5. Backdrops & Props oh my! Cause who doesn’t want to wear a chef’s hat and clown glasses while standing in front of a wall of confetti garland?

6. Where the most outstanding Facebook & Twitter profile pics are made.

7. They are a helpful reminder of what’s most important when it comes to an event or party. HAVE FUN!

8. It gives those guests who hate to boogy something to get involved in.

9. Don’t like how you looked in the picture? Take another, and another and another and another. Perfect for the picture perfectionist in all of us!

10. No one REALLY likes boring formal portraits do they?

10.1. They are perfect for every event : graduation parties, baby showers, anniversaries, art shows, company holiday parties (remember #3?), birthdays, reunions…etc. etc.

Long story short : get yourself a photobooth at your next event. You’ll thank me for it later!

*The fab pics in this post?! Just a few of the hilariously awesome photobooth snapshots from my friend Jules color-blocking birthday party last month – more pics on her fab blog here – go on over and get inspired! Oh and super bonus! That rad little geometric pinyada? Check out my buddy Sara’s new pinyada biz : pinyadayada. Genius!

photo cred: {julie harmsen photography}

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apt therapy design night!

A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking at an Apartment Therapy design meeting and it was SUCH a blast! I will fully admit that I was super nervous to public speak leading up to the night, but once I got talking I couldn’t stop! I shared a bit about how I got into the creative world, some thoughts on where I see my biz going in the future, and some design tips for adding vintage decor into your space.

It was so exciting seeing so many creative peeps interested in hearing about scout. and pumped to learn about estate sales & seeking out vintage things. I had so much fun meeting everyone who came out for the night and was thrilled to see some of my close buddies there as well!

Thanks to my hubby for taking pics, to Andie & Emily for such a warm welcome in their adorable studio Assemble and to Manuela of Apt Therapy for allowing me to share my story! For more pics and details of the night head on over to Apartment Therapy here!

photo cred: {adam blake via apartment therapy}

trophy cupcakes & party design project.

I’ve been really excited to share these pics that my buddy Julie captured of my recent design project for Trophy Cupcakes. I shared some instagram pics a while back here, but professional ones are so much more pretty right? I absolutely LOVE the pic below. It captures the bold, simplistic beauty of Trophy’s Bravern shop to a tee! Thanks for the pics Jules!

I had the time of my life creating window display concepts and store details for Trophy earlier this year ,and I’m absolutely thrilled with how everything turned out. It was so so so much fun incorporating some vintage details from my scout. collection and the gold & white chevron flooring that I painted by hand is one of my proudest design details of this project. I can’t get enough of all bold color + chevron + gold – YUM!!!

Jennifer Shea (owner & cupcake extraordinaire) wanted the design to really speak to Trophy’s mentality of “the party starts here!” and I couldn’t imagine anything party related without some fun confetti. I created custom multi-colored confetti and a custom fringed streamer backdrop for both their Wallingford & Bravern locations. I also created some whimsical garland and streamer chandeliers for the inside of their shops too! The colors to this day make me just smile. They are just so so happy!

Thanks to Jennifer and her team for allowing me to crash their stores on multiple occasions to rock out the color. I can’t imagine a more fun and celebration-focused company to work with. I heart Trophy to pieces and I look forward to working with them in the future!!!

**Also! A GIGANTIC thank you to my little sis Coli who spent part of her Christmas break knee deep in color with me. Couldn’t have done it without ya – muah! xoxo!

photo cred: {julie harmsen photography}

blogshop + scout!

I can’t even begin to tell you what a thrill it was for me to play a part in last month’s BLOGSHOP here in Seattle. I had the pleasure of attending Blogshop + a mini version last year in the Berkeley & Portland areas and had the time of my life! I learned crazy amounts of PS skills that I’ve had the good fortune of applying to my blog AND I met some of my dearest creative friends (this lady, this gal, this lovely & this chick too!) during the class. Let’s just say – BLOGSHOP ROCKS IT – hardcore.

Sooooo when I found out Bri & Angela would be coming to Seattle I was all too excited to offer my Scout. loot. I had a crazy amazing time styling up the Fred Wildlife Refuge and giving a little scout lovin’ to the weekend!

Thought I’d share some pics taken by the uber talented Angela Kohler herself, as well as a video by Stephan Gray. If you’d like to see more pics of the weekend check out Bri’s blog here! Oh and if this looks all too enticing to resist, head here to see when Blogshop might be coming your way.

photo cred: {angela + ithyle} video cred: {stephan gray}

assemble + apt therapy + scout.

I’m excited to announce that I will be speaking at an Apartment Therapy Design Meeting this Saturday, March 3rd from 6 – 8 pm at the adorable Assemble Gallery and Studio in Phinney. I’ll be sharing some insight on my inspirations behind scout and vintage decor as well as spilling some tips about scouring estate sales. If you’re in the area and interested in dropping by I’d love to see you! Find out more info about this special event from Assemble or Apt Therapy here or here!

photo cred: {apartment therapy}

rue mag.

The night before any new issue of Rue Magazine I end up feeling like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. I get these little flutters of excitement bustling around in my belly and I wake up with an energy only explained by a longing for inspiration.

Every time I flip through the pages of Rue I feel every cell in my body clinging to every last drop of color that spills off the pages. When I launched my design companies (BT&B + scout) last year, I dreamed of the day I’d have the opportunity to be involved in a magazine like Rue. This month? I got my chance.

It was such a pleasure to work alongside the creative talents of Kira, Shannon & Sara (the gals behind the Hens & Chicks Collective), the fantabulous lady behind the camera Sarah and adorable Miss Cassandra. The day was such a blast and I’m so honored to have my scout. furniture & decor grace the pages of Rue!

photo cred: {rue magazine and we are the rhoads}

skillet street food.

Oh. My. Word. I am SO excited for this upcoming open house that I can barely stand it! Not only is it at a killer new venue (if you haven’t checked out Melrose Market Studios yet, you are in for quite the treat!) but it’s all about yummy grub and thinking outside the box. Skillet is holding their spring tasting on the 22nd of this month (yep! you better get your RSVP on!) and it’s gonna be RAD!

Scout Vintage Rental Co. will be there showing off lots of our favs and Noah of Skillet is cooking up the super fabulous! I’m telling you – you WANT to be at this one folks…it’s gonna be insanely awesome! If you are getting hitched or wanna blow the socks right off your guests at your next shindig, come hang with us and some superstar vendors!

Skillet Street Food | Pederson’s Rentals | Wave Link Music | Fleurish | Julie Harmsen Photography | 321 Foto | Bluebird Microcreamery | Melrose Market Studios | & scout!

RSVP here and spread the word! We’d love to hang with ya! See you soon!

photo cred: {matthew parker}

a wedding show + an open house.

Last month I had the pleasure of providing some of my vintage goodies to Twelve Baskets Catering for their booth at the Seattle Wedding Show. Jaffrey & the team nabbed some fab pics of the booth that I’m sharing on the blog today. The tabletop was my fav…absolutely gorgeous, right?! They did such a great job with the design of their booth!

I will also be participating in their open house coming up this week (rescheduled due to that crazy Seattle snow storm!) and would love to see you there! It’s the perfect opportunity for you brides and grooms out there to see a stunning venue: 415 Westlake, and sample some yummy grub from Twelve Baskets. You can also touch/feel/rent some loot from scout. vintage rental co. while you’re there! RSVP and find details here!

photo cred: {twelve baskets catering}

friday find : something to celebrate!

It’s Friday! AND…..it was SUNNY today! Yippee!

I couldn’t help but do a little happy dance in my driveway this morning when I stepped out and felt that glorious warmth touch my face. It felt as though there were so many things to celebrate this Friday:

1. Sun! It deserved a second mention.

2. It’s Superbowl weekend! What does that mean? A super chipper hubby and a no-guilt weekend full of non-stop mini-bites, pizza and beer. Who are you rooting for?

3. Tomorrow is Blog Brunch! If you’re a blogger and are looking to learn more about sponsorship and monetizing then stop by for brunch!

4. My adorable new vintage glasses above! They just sing “celebrate with me!” and were definitely a highlight on a recent estate sale trip.

5. Some pieces from my scout. collection get to come out and play this weekend at BLOGSHOP!

6. Despite waiting a loooonnnnggg time at the doctor’s office this afternoon (2 hours to be exact!), I found out that hip surgery might not have to happen! I’ve been struggling with significant hip pain for over a year now, and was SUPER relieved to find out that a shot of pain killers might just do the trick. Cross your fingers for me on Monday!

7. I’m planning a trip to Europe with my little sis! Coli and I will be spending 6 weeks traveling Europe this May/June and I CANNOT wait! I’ll be mapping out our route this weekend.

8. Oh, and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! What do you have planned?

Happy Weekend friends!!

*JB

friday find: take a seat.

some fresh finds. that super tall (perfect for a bar area!) chest is one of my favs! the brass detailing is insane!

happy weekend friends!

photo cred: {moi iPhone}

TC Creative snapshot.

What a busy busy week this has been, hence my lack of post yesterday…my apologies! My little Scout. Vintage Rental Co. is in full swing and I’m doing my best to stay on top of my beloved blog in the process.

Sharing a few shots today that I nabbed (isn’t instagram the best?!) during the TC Creative Studio Opening last week. Had a total blast participating in this one! Creating little vingettes with my collection is my favorite part of my job!

Also included some hilarious (and slightly embarrassing) Smilebooth shots above from the fab Sarah & Chris Rhoads. Such a fun night!

Hope you’re all having an amazing week!

xoxo! JB

friday find: a little bit of quirky.

a couple new pretties i snagged while out and about today.

so in love with all things quirky.

happy weekend friends!

photo cred: {moi iPhone}

starts with a board.

I’ve learned quite quickly that the best way to hash out design ideas with a new or potential client is through an inspiration board. I am naturally such a visual being that these boards are super helpful in helping me efficiently and effectively articulate the ideas I have rushing around in my busy little head.

I was all two excited a few weeks ago when I got the chance to chat color and rebranding across the table from Jennifer Shea, owner of Trophy Cupcakes. I’m still giddy that she put her confidence in me to revamp her window displays at her U-Village and Bravern locations for the New Year and couldn’t wait to get prepping. She wanted the window to reflect a “party starts here!” mentality and was hoping I could give the design some sort of Kate Spade inspired twist (aka a color bonanza!).

I’ve been dying to get back into visual merchandising, so this job was right up my alley. I knew I wanted crepe paper backdrops to scream “party! party! party!” and chevron flooring was an absolute must – had to make it happen. I also planned to tie in a bunch of my vintage pieces from my scout. collection as a fun juxtaposition to the never ending stream of color.

Here’s a little peek into my design inspirations for Trophy Cupcakes. Check back tomorrow for some instagram pics of the actual windows AND if you’re near U-Village in the U-District or Bravern over in Bellevue be sure to stop into Trophy for a yummy cupcake and a gander at my design.

assemble shop.

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a super adorable event at Assemble Gallery and Studio. I actually found Assemble during one of my morning run’s about a year ago when I spotted their bright apple red door from across the street and couldn’t help but peek in their windows.

Assemble offers loads of workshops for the crafty or crafty wanna-be’s – think sewing, painting, knitting, print etc. They also have a crazy amazing collection of letterpress greeting cards and fun little gifts perfect for your best bud or any special occasion (um, hello – if you’re still on the hunt for that perfect stocking stuffer you best stop into their shop quick!).

In the past couple months I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Andie (co-owner of the shop) a whole lot better, and boy can I tell ya – this chick is hilarious AND also one of those small biz owners whom I greatly admire and respect. I was all too happy to celebrate Andie & Emily’s 2nd birthday with them complete with cookies, milk and a book drive – it always feels good to give back, right?!

I soooo enjoyed the evening complete with Christmas caroling, an accidental self portrait, and a little present to check off my “I didn’t even know I NEEDED this!”  list.

photo cred: {moi iPhone and maggie’s iPhone}

it’s cold outside.

I’m super excited to be delivering some of my scout. goodies to a baby shower in Snohomish today (Laura I’m soooo excited to celebrate with ya!) but let me tell ya….it’s chilly this morning!

As Adam and I load up, I find myself daydreaming of a warmer pair of mittens. I’ve always preferred mittens over gloves. I rather like the feeling of knowing all my fingers are keeping each other warm. I especially love the mittens that have a little flair…maybe a fun zipper or cute button? These leather isla mittens by Kurt Geiger are DEFINITELY going on my wishlist! What accessories do you prefer to keep warm with in these winter months?

photo cred: {kurt geiger}