{frolic!}

flower diy: chair garland

    

I usually think of asters as a simple country flower but for this project, they became dramatic with almost an Indian flair. The confetti-like petals are so pretty too! To make the garland, we sewed the flowers together with a needle and fishline. It's a great technique for longer garlands and head wreaths too.  You can see full directions over at Project Wedding. 

 

Story and photos created by Chelsea Fuss for Project Wedding. Special thanks to Amber Furqueron for modeling and assisting and to The Cleaners event space for hosting the shoot. Linen and Chair rentals courtesy of The Party Place (love them!!).

creative inc. blog tour + giveaway

I am excited to be part of the Creative Inc. blog tour! This book (written by the lovely Joy + Meg) is such a great resource. A lot of you know that I dove headfirst into self-employment just a few years after college when I started a flower business at 24, and I currently work freelance. So, I was really excited when I heard about this new book. 

I wish I'd had Creative Inc. earlier. It's like the co-worker in the cubicle next door that you always pop over to for advice but as an entrepreneur, don't have any longer. From putting together a portfolio, to calculating what you should charge, to working through creative blocks, Creative Inc, is an accessible and simple guide to making self-employment work. After reading through the book last night, I am already feeling re-charged and inspired to tackle some of the challenges I am facing with my evolving business.

My favorite part of the book was reading the profiles. Learning that one of my favorite photographers is entirely self-taught in everything from graphic design to styling to photography and that he started out as a bagger at Whole Foods was completely inspiring and humbling to read. I love a good entrepreneurial story!

I know a lot of you are self-employed or are looking to make a change so leave a comment before September 3rd and Chronicle books will send one lucky person a copy of this book! Or, you can buy it here. Good luck!

P.S. Follow the Creative Inc. blog tour here:

8/23 Poppy Talk
8/24 Oh Happy Day
8/25 SFGirl By Bay
8/26 Mint Design
8/27 Wit + Delight
8/28 Cathy of California
8/29 Book By Its Cover
8/30 Not Martha
8/31 Frolic!
9/01 Upper Case
9/02 Craft
9/03 Decor8
9/04 Kris Atomic
9/05 Grain Edit

* Winner has been notified. Thanks for all the entries!

howie's fall catalog

  

Speaking of Howie's Clothing, I love their fall collection and catalog. The unposed photography and seemingly haphazard shots sell me on their lifestyle too (I am a sucker like that). I'd be happy wearing this simple clothing forever regardless of the trends that ebb and flow.

Howie's originally via Han Picked.

millie marotta

  

I love these patterns from illustrator, Millie Marotta.The fabrics she designed for Howie's fall tops are sweet too.

swedish island wedding

 
   

I was reading one of my favorite Swedish blogs, Red House, and noticed that the author, Anna posted her wedding. It took place on an island on the West Coast of Sweden. Guests arrived by boat and then feasted on crayfish! It looks like so much fun and I adore the folksy invitation that Anna designed.

   

All photos by Mikaela Rudhner except # 7+9 by Leonard Lee.

off to the woods...

I am taking off early this week to go backpacking in the mountains. Unplugging from technology is just what I need about now to enjoy the last bit of summer. Be back next Monday! Have a great weekend!

Polaroid from my Flickr.

dear creatures

 

It's too hot to post the wool and plaid just yet but Dear Creatures has the loveliest collection for fall. I adore every single outfit.

Via the lovely Katrina at Honey in Your Tea.

jasper conran's home

 

Jasper Conran's home embodies that dark, rustic, English style I love so much. His book Country is filled to the brim with gorgeous images like this. Every time I go to a bookstore, I have to look at all the dreamy photos in that book. It's simply exquisite.

Images: Home, by Stafford Cliff.

wedding diy: farmers' market bouquets

 
Some of my favorite wedding bouquets I've seen are not made by a fancy florist at all but are just a sweet and simple bundle of flowers. A perfect example is this sweet French wedding where the bride picked a bouquet of poppies the morning of her wedding.

The flower bundles at farmers' markets are so pretty, why not just leave as is and add a pretty ribbon? I think it could be a super chic wedding bouquet and for $5, saying it's budget-friendly is an understatement! You can see my full article over at Project Wedding.

 

These sweet peas smell delicious! 

   

I think these tiny, variegated zinnias are so sweet and I love the combo of the windowpane ribbon.

How I love dahlia season! The blue velvet ribbon is the perfect touch to these sumptuous blooms.

Story + photos created for Project Wedding by Chelsea Fuss. Thank you to Amber Furqueron for assisting and modeling and to The Cleaners at The Ace for hosting the shoot.

cotton pinafore

Such a sweet little pinafore dress from Dear Golden Vintage!