Nashville Wedding Invitations - the sweet life - Amber Housley - Designer Mom Crafter - Sweet Life Designs

My view in three weeks: The Stationery Academy

I'm thrilled to report that in just a few short weeks I'm going to be headed to Pensacola, Florida to be a part of the inaugural class of The Stationery Academy! It has been a dream of mine to one day produce a wholesale line of stationery and gift products for the retail market and I'm excited to be able to pair up my already vast knowledge of print production with learning some new tips and tricks of the wholesale stationery market, presented by some of the top experts in the industry. Not only do I get to meet Emily Ley and Whitney English for the first time, but I get to give a big hug to my friend Lara Casey (from my MTH and Engage adventures) who will be there sharing her branding expertise as well. 

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention one of the big highlights of the four day trip...this view:

Yes, there will be a wee amount of beach/relax/rejuvination time on the first day.

The other part I'm really excited about this conference? The connections! In my travels over the last year to Making Things Happen and Engage!11, I have met so many truly inspiring, go-getting, like-minded and creative new friends. Going into a conference knowing NO ONE can seem daunting -- trust me, I did it at both MTH and Engage -- but in reality, everyone is sharing the same excitement and nervousness. This time I'm walking into this experience with not a hint of nervousness, just a whole lot of happy vibes and gratefulness for the opportunity. 

Let's do this!

Summer So Far

A glimpse of our family's summer so far...

In May we toured the historic Nashville neighborhood of Richland/West End and saw some lovely gardens...Colin particularly loved one that had a pond full of koi fish and lots of stepping stones...

 

And I fell in love with the GORGEOUS peonies that were in full bloom. "Someday..." I thought wistfully to myself...."I will grow these same peonies!" Yes folks, failed on the peony plants again this year. :(

And of course there has been lots of pool time...Colin is a FISH. Just loves the water. Swimming lessons are definitely in store for him.

And there are some days when I think my 2 year old is going on age 16....

We rounded out June by heading east to a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Complete with pretty babbling creek...and snakes...lots of snakes (yikes!). Thankfully, snakes were discovered on the day we headed home...and not on the day we were enjoying rock hunting and splashing. 

Have I mentioned how I love living so close to such beauty? I never imagined my life would turn out so my kids would grow up with access to such fun childhood play and experiences that you find here in the South. 

Loving my rock throwing, frog catching, water splashing, full of wonder, little boy. 

Here's to the many more summer adventures ahead of us! To think we're already half-way!

 

Sneak Peek: Ashley & Daniel's Santa Rosa Beach Destination Wedding

I met Ashley, Daniel and Ashley's mom at local coffee shop on a cold winter day in Nashville. Immediately I could tell that the details for their bright and cheerful Florida wedding was something that I wanted to be a part of! A warm mix of marigold orange and aqua blue, I incorporated a sweet vintage bicycle at their request to be a little more vintage-y and a little less "beach-y" for their intimate occasion. Here's a sneak peak at some of the details of their Santa Rosa destination wedding. A full posting of ALL the sweet details and fun paper goods to come! 

 

Off to Engage11!

I'm off headed to Engage11! in sunny San Diego this week. I'm so excited for all the new friends I'll meet and all the knowledge I will gain for Sweet Life Designs. I feel like I'm at a turning point for my business and I can't wait for all the shared insights from some of the best in the wedding industry that will be shared with me to take my own business that much farther!

I know I've been quiet on the blog the last few months. I've been busy putting last minute touches on a new Sweet Life Designs website and also the launch of my new lifestyle & indie biz blog Sweet Tea and Lemonade. Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for all these exciting debuts!

Lastly, I'm excited to share a few photos from my recent photoshoot with one of my best friends, Sara Rose. I wanted some new pictures for the new site and I'm so excited how they turned out. They truly are a reflection of my everyday style! :)

 Happy, Excited, Elated, Ready to Conquer the World,

Making Things Happen

Is it possible to walk into a room of 19 strangers and emerge 12+ hours later as the very best of friends? I suppose it is. Is it possible to walk out of the same room and feel that any 19 of us could accomplish anything our hearts and minds wanted? Not the likeliest...

It happened to me this weekend here. 

No we didn't drink krazy cool-aid. There wasn't magic fairy dust involved. 

But I AM a changed person. I AM a capable, strong, successful businesswoman with an amazing team of cheerleaders who have my back every step of the way. I AM thankful for the example I have found for the life I want to lead by looking at Lara, Gina and Natalie. My heart is full with the friendship I have found in the other 16 similar spirited women. 

I spoke earlier this week about a new feeling that came over me recently, about handing it all over to Him, and letting Him show me my purpose. I've seen my purpose now, and it is amazing. I AM living a life with intent. I AM showing my family how much I love them each day. I AM sharing my creative talents and gifts with others for the intent of sharing joy. I AM encouraging other women and Mom's to go after their business entrepreneurial dreams.

I AM capable of anything. 

Watch out for the new design and media empire that is about to unfold for myself and Sweet Life Designs, there is such an exciting journey ahead and I'm taking you all along for the ride!

Curiosity and Excitement

Colin discovering the wonder and beauty of jelly fish for the first time at an aquarium in Gatlinburg this past November. 

So I head off on a little adventure tomorrow to Atlanta. Not sure what the future holds for me but my curiosity and excitement has been growing for this weekend when I attend Making Things Happen Atlanta. My mind and heart is open for all of the great things that are to come my way for both my personal and business life. 

And of course, I'd be lying if I didn't also mention how much I'm looking forward to hitting up the Pottery Barn outlet on the way home. ;)

Hoping a little angel follows me around on the icy roads early tomorrow morning. Visions of my boys at home all snuggled up warm will be definitely be in my head as I start my journey at 5am!

Showing up with my heart

2011 didn't exactly start how I expected it to. But that's how life is, isn't it? Always going against expectations. 

I had in mind that by now my new website would be more complete. That all my 2010 financial business accounting records would be up to date and ready to send off to the tax lady. Newly polished marketing materials for myself, plans underway for a huge party showcasing a new 2011 line. And that I would be entering this new year refreshed and renewed and ready to tackle all of these amazing plans I have for 2011!

And here I am, sick. Sick since Christmas with a cold turned sinus infection turned cold again. Victim of a wonderful little boy who attends daycare and is exposed to every little germ possible and is pretty much in the same boat as I these last couple of weeks. I'm trying very hard not to wallow in my tired of being congested misery and really focus on this new season ahead. And giving some much needed attention to my clients.   

This week made me think of how things are different lately. We've been going to church a lot more regularly the past month or so. Even on these crummy cold and blistery out days. I want to go. I want to hear the message they are offering. It's one year ago this month that we started attending Providence UMC. And it's only now in the last month or two that really the messages started hitting home for me. It wasn't just an act of showing up to church anymore, it is now the act of showing up with my heart at church. I've heard the message in the past of giving your troubles over to God. And in the past I may have said I was doing it, but I don't think I really was in my heart. 

And you know what? The moment I really did start doing it, asking everyday of Him to please help and give me strength and wisdom to keep on pushing through. To finally surrendering my own plans and ask Him to show me the plan He has made for me.... Things have changed. This new year, something just feels different this time around. Little "happies" keep falling into my lap. Little things that make me stop and think - this is a sign. 

The next couple of weeks are going to be a flurry of activity and new adventures and new friends. I really can't wait for all that is in store. I put together this inspiration board for the new website and just looking at every ridiculously charming image just makes me so happy! Maybe it will bring some joy to you as well this wintery January day. 

Nashville Engagement Shoot at the State Fair

Meet Sheri. Sheri is my every day girlfriend. Because literally I see her day in and day out. :)

Four years ago we met at our corporate job. I walked in to her Creative Director office with proofs of a direct mail piece for a client and instantly was thinking in my head,  "wow this this girl is way too cool for me. Totally out of my friend league." Cool artsy design eye glasses, all these awesome design posters on the wall....

And a few weeks later she inquired if I'd be interested in joining a bunco group a few friends in and out of the office had started. We would take turns hosting parties (hello! love them!) each month and there would be a small amount of gambling involved (totally where I had just moved from! Vegas Baby Vegas!) and possibly some wine drinking (no comment necessary).  

Instant friendship!

And now we spend our lunch days touring and tasting restaurants all over Nashville...discussing invitations and design....AND planning her November wedding.

Here's a peak at some of my sweet and uber talented friend Sara E. Rose's photography skills in action at the Tennessee State Fair for their engagement shoot last week. You MUST visit her full blog posting and see all the wonderful pictures that capture Mark and Sheri so perfectly. 

 

Sheri and I can't wait to share her invitations and details with all of you SLD fans and clients in November!

Three Times A Charm

Three years I have been married to the most amazing husband and father I could ever ask God for. He supports me, he grounds me and I'm thankful for the 7 year journey we've been on since we first met. And wow, what an awesome road that lies ahead!

I still remember our wedding day like it was yesterday. 

He asked me in the car the other day what I would have done differently. And I couldn't come up with really anything definitive. Actually, I take that back now reflecting on it...Rocco, our yellow lab, definitely would have been in the ceremony! ;)

Him. Me. Our Family. Our Friends. It was a perfect September day. 

Feeling so lucky and loved by this charming man three years later. Happy Anniversary honey. Love you!

 

Photography by Dove Wedding Photography. As appeared in Southern Weddings in June 2008. 

Nashville Flea Market Vintage Finds

Hello gorgeous purple apothecary bottles!

It was four years in the making, but I finally made it to the Nashville Flea Market at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds last month! Held on the last weekend of just about every month, you can find a menagiere of junk - both old a new. We (alongside my buds Sara and Amber) set out in the wee morning hours (7am!) on Saturday to see what goodies we could find. And yes, the Starbucks drive-thru was a necessary requirement on our voyage. ;)

I’m used to “swap meets” -the West Coast version of flea markets - and this one too had the usual booths of stuff you really didn’t need but end up walking home with. ;) I scored a pair of $5 (!) grey flats for Fall. I passed on the As Seen On TV items..

The real good vintage old stuff is in the back corner, under the covered outdoor areas. I was able to bargain on some glass bottles for a bathroom shelf pharmacy bottle collection I was starting, but a lot of the stuff, the vendors wouldn’t budge at all on. Some of the things I had my eye on: Victorian tin ceiling tiles that were wrapped around wood to be used as a wall art, old stained glass windows I’d love to use for wall art (but sadly too much for my budget with them starting at well into the $100s), old movie sign marquee letters.....but no budging on the price. :( So, I decided it was fate and just moved on.
Sara scored an awesome retro quilt in oranges, browns and green colors - perfect for her upcoming Fall mini sessions....for get this, FIVE DOLLARS! And that was the asking price. What an awesome find! Yes she will let me borrow or ELSE!

By the time we left around 10:30am, the crowds were picking up and the sun was high overhead -- the perfect time to wrap up a fun morning with the girls. I can’t wait to return this weekend!