As in times of great strife and loss, I think it is natural to question your own purpose, occupation and life. During the 18 days my dad received hospice care and the 17 I was fortunate to be home for, I wish I could have thrown my phone out the window and wanted someone else to be the boss. I didn’t care if the monogram on a bride’s cocktails napkins was just a little large or about posting a blog on spring fashion picks. It all seemed very unimportant to me.

But on the other hand, I was able pack up my computer and setup a work station in my parents home. Being my own boss allowed me to share my dad’s last days, tell him how much I loved him and talk about our favorite memories together. I would never trade this time for the money I could have made on those clients who decided not to work with me because of my availability. I was able to pick and choose what was important to me at that time.

Backup to June 2012 when I called my parents to tell them I had reached a point where I could no longer run my business and maintain my 9-to-5 job and looked to them for guidance. My dad, who was a small business owner for 25 years,  said that if I never took a chance then I would never know what success I could have even though he probably knew more about the risks involved than I could have imagined. I felt inspired by his (and my mom’s) support and ended up quitting my 9-to-5 the next day. Now, my dad didn’t think I would do it that soon but he believed in me. His strength and encouragement will be a constant presence in my life and work.

Getting back in the swing if things have definitely been very challenging and the past couple months still seem a bit surreal, but the support I have received from family, friends, clients and “co-workers” has been amazing. I moved into my new studio alongside two talented, supportive women and often find myself at the end of the day wondering where the hours went because I have stayed so busy. I am thankful that I love what I do and actually do enjoy determining the best size of a monogram. I am a part of one of the happiest and most memorable times in a person’s life that is centered around love, family and support.

So, thank you to everyone that has called, texted, emailed, sent cards, flowers, and more. Your support means the world to me.

After hosting successful Wedding Party events in New York, Martha Stewart Weddings and The Wedding Library teamed up with Lovebird Events to bring this inspiration and information-filled wedding event to Chicago for the first time. Featuring speakers Martha Stewart’s Darcy Miller and The Wedding Library’s Claudia Hanlin, a destination wedding and honeymoon lounge, bridal fashion and over 50 vendors; this is a can’t-miss event for all couples tying the knot.

Event Details: Sunday, March 10, from 10am – 3pm

Event Location: Radisson Blu in downtown Chicago

Buy Tickets here.

First up, a new desk lamp or two matching ones. Since my desk at the studio (I’ll be keeping my Parsons one at home) is a steel tanker desk, I want my lighting to follow the same utilitarian feel.

Here are few I like so far… can you let me know which one is your favorite?

Industrial Task Lamp ($39.99)

CB 2 Cloche Table Lamp ($69.95)

West Elm Industrial Task Lamp ($69.99)

Land of Nod Modern Clip Lamp ($49.00)

West Elm Perch Table Lamp ($55.00)

Which one should I choose?

It has been a long-time love-affair between the Darlings and I, so I was over the moon when Natalie asked me to join them in their studio in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Since our style is very similar and we both practice “it’s all in the details” and “more is more” philosophies, we are the perfect match.

You can set up appointments with either of our companies individually, as you have in the past, or double the fun by setting up back to back appointments for your decor and paper needs! Rest assured that together we’ll leave no event detail un-styled!

We look forward to many collaborations with our fab clients on the horizon, meeting new friends, and watching where cupid bends his arrow next.

FOR FLORAL & EVENT STYLING, please contact HELLODARLING.COM or 312.226.2440

FOR INVITATIONS & PAPER GOODS, please contact COURTNEYCALLAHAN.COM or 773.368.7724

Personally I am excited to have a professional and gorgeously-styled meeting space for clients, a workspace for production and an office to really get down to business and stay organized. Not to mention, two fabulous ladies to work side-by-side with and keep me motivated and creatively inspired throughout the day.

Follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook  as I move in to my new studio, how we incorporate my invitations into the decor, office antics (I am sure there will be many), and a few other projects we are teaming up on.

Cheers to the Darlings!

At Alt, the duo behind Blue Lily Photography and Nicole Gerulat really explained things in an “easy-to-understand-even-for-an-amateur-way” and lucky for you, they both offer classes to help you shoot better images. Nicole’s Classes are online and she has a book, Photo 101, which I am currently reading.

During the Tabletop Photography design camp, Nicole set up sample photo shoots to show us how she would shoot the image.  Then we were able to practice while Nicole provided her critique. Here are a few before and after shots.

Before: wrong angle, too much light

After: Not perfect by any means but the color and detail on the necklace pops

Before: Too zoomed in, too bright

After: Getting better, but still a looooong way to go

Before: Yikes!

After: Once again, getting better but not there yet

All of the shoots above were styled by Nicole Gerulat with products from Alice Lane. However, I took all of these junky pictures. I am determined to get better though!

And if my skills do improve after this class, I may just have to reward myself with these camera accessories I have been wanting – a Rebecca Minkoff Camera bag, a new camera strap and a new lens.

In addition to my Indie Wed booth you saw last week, I was able to once again be a part of the Belles and Gents Lounge with SQN Events, Fleur, truffle truffle and Femme du Coupe. After creating last year’s bar, Indie Wed had the amazing idea to make the “bar” a lounge for this year’s event featuring music, food, drinks, desserts and a photo booth. SQN Events did an amazing transforming the space and coordinating this talented group of vendors.

Vendors included AGED Vintage Rentals, A la Crate, Amelia Street Studio, Elysia Root Cakes, Femme du Coupe, Fleur, Goose Island Catering, Julia Fransoza Photography, Nimble Well, ShutterBooth, SQN Events, Toast & Jam and truffle truffle.

Along with the lounge logo, I created cocktail napkins, beer bottle labels, drink flags, cigar wraps and fun signage for the photo booth).

Want to see more? Head on over to the SQN Events blog.

Photos: Julia Fransoza Photography

Even though I participated in Indie Wed last year, I was still blown away by the creativity that was put into each booth. Speaking from experience, it is a LOT of hard work and I truly applaud the Indie Wed crew that coordinates the entire event.

At Alt Summit, Darcy Miller said, “Sometimes, more is more.” I may have carried this mantra a little far in my booth. Aiming for a fresh, modern feel, I utilized my signature silver and hot pink to create a detail-packed display showcasing my latest designs and wedding day details.

My backdrop included over 200 hand-lined envelopes and was a true labor of love, but I am happy with the way it turned out especially because it wasn’t obvious at first to what it was made of.

Personal items from my home including my lacquer desk, lacquer tray, a “recovered-the-night before” bench (fabric from Hobby Lobby), vintage scale and rotary phone. Try taking a part a desk and rebuilding it a couple times in one day. Not fun but oh so worth it.

My fabulous floral friends Hello Darling provided the perfect touches with hot pink flowers, succulents and mercury glass vases and candle holders plus a dish for my business cards and striped straws.

During the event, I hosted a contest to give away 100 FREE custom Save the Date postcards. I can’t wait to announce the winner on Wednesday and start designing for the lucky couple.

My new-favorite, gold-foil Save the Date postcards for a fall wedding at the zoo.

Since I was solo at my booth (learned my lesson on that one), I was only able to make one quick lap around the first floor of the event to see what else was going down. I was wowed by Jayne Weddings and am sad I don’t have a picture of her gilded-citrus, summer-loving display. But, I did manage to catch a couple other pictures of things I loved.

A bold, floral-adorned cake created by Elysia Root Cakes

Gorgeous, unique gowns by Mignonette Bridal

A hanging torn-pages display that would look amazing in an Anthropologie display by The Savoy Life

To see more of Indie Wed, visit Hello Darling and Amanda Megan Miller Photography. And stay tuned for pictures from the Belles and Gents Lounge I participated in at Indie Wed. I heard it was an absolute blast up there!

Photos 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 courtesy of Colin Lyons Photography (thank you Colin!)

Photos: 4, 12, 13, 14 by me

Photo: 11 courtesy of Natalie from Hello Darling

But I am getting some help from the Darlings in sprucing up my space tomorrow with pops of hot pink and metallic silver (picture via Natalie’s Twitter). Be sure to follow along on Instagram as I prep my space.

Speaking of the Darlings, did you see this gilded succulent I posted on Instagram? I died when I saw it it at their studio yesterday.

In other news, Michael has been out of town all week and I have really been missing him. However, he always knows the way to make me feel loved and sent me these gorgeous flowers from Fleur. Succulents again…I must be going through a phase.

And finally, links I loved this week:
Spruce up your gifts this Valentine’s Day with polka dot wrapping paper or hand made accordion hearts. Your love will love it.

Getting married and don’t want to have a cookie-cutter website? Appy Couple is your solution so says Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Swoon over the gorgeous closet of Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere on The Coveteur

See why my sister took a three-month blogging hiatus.

Suffering from post-wedding, no-planning blues? 100 Layer Cakelet will solve your problems with inspiration if the next phase of your life includes little ones.

What’s on tap for your weekend? If you are in Chicago, make sure to stay bundled!

Why do I love  Bloglovin’?
1. It organizes all of my blogs in one convenient place so I don’t have to continually go to my bookmarks folder.

2. It helps me remember which blogs I like and which ones I want to start following. The latter being very important because I see new ones each day that inspire me and its hard to remember all those names.

3. It makes blog-reading super portable as I do most of my blog reading on my phone in bed, while I am waiting in line somewhere or in the tub (hoping I don’t drop my phone). Since I work from home, when I sit down at my computer it is time to work not get lost in the rabbit hole of inspiration, fashion and DIYs. But, if there is something I want to pin or blog about, I make a mental note or send myself an email to remember the post.

4. It organizes what I am in the mood for reading. If I am homesick and in need of a good laugh or pictures of my niece and nephews, I’ll read my sister’s blog. If I am feeling crafty, I’ll turn to The House That Lars Built. And if I am in need of some fashion inspiration, Gal Meets Glam or Atlantic-Pacific do the trick.

5. Blogs that posts multiple times a day can be overwhelming and this app allows me to sort through the content that is applicable to me. If it is an article on say “how to plant for spring”, I’ll just mark the post as read and move on by.

Woah, I feel like the unofficial spokesperson for Bloglovin’. But I really link you’ll enjoy it if you haven’t downloaded it already.

Follow me on Bloglovin’ and I will follow you. Leave your blog name in the comments below or a list of blogs you love and read. I am always on the lookout for new ones.

If you are too, head over to The Sweetest Occasion’s list of up and coming blogs to follow. Hoping to make that list someday!

Last year, I participated in the Inspired Creations contest at Indie Wed. My team created the Belles & Gents bar and this year, Indie Wed has asked us to re-create it. The catch? It will be bigger and better!

Along with the Belles & Gents lounge, I will also have my own space featuring the latest creations from CCP plus a hopefully-killer setup (I am still crafting this) on the first floor. Make sure to stop by and sign up to win 100 FREE Custom-Designed Save the Date postcards for your wedding. Yep, you heard it? FREE!

Visit Indie Wed to get more information and purchase your tickets online until Thursday. Act quick because they do sell out!

Are you going to be there? Let me know so I can keep my eyes peeled!