Our Christmas with Mixbook

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches??
Joy to the World, the Lord has Come!
Away in the Manger the poor Baby wakes…
Silent Night, Holy Night, All is Calm, All is Bright…

These songs (and so many more) are on repeat in the Glass house and we are watching all the Christmas movies too. Do you know what else we are doing this holiday season? Updating our photos! As usual for our printing needs, we partnered with Mixbook, and I am so glad that we did.

Since our first year of marriage, Asa and I have sent out Christmas cards. At first I think he thought I was kind of silly [they included photos of us awkwardly posing, and our multitude of pets], but over the years, he admits that he loves it just as much as I do. [Wives know best right?]…….#KIDDING

Anyway, Mixbook has always been great and our Christmas cards come out beautifully! When this post goes live, you all will still have one day [by 12/15] to get your photo presents by December 24! Calendars are also going on sale until 12/19, but I’ll get there in a second.

One of my gifts for my mom has always been a 12-month calendar. She has always hung one in their kitchen, right above the small desk and work space. It’s one of the corners in their house, where I grew up, that is sentimental for me in a sense; making calendars for her full of photos from our past memories is something that I LOVE to do. This year was no different. I compiled tons of photos and asked my brother and sister-in-law to share theirs too. I plugged in birthdays and designed each month exactly how I wanted to. When the package arrived I was so excited to open it and flip through each month—the quality is excellent and pages sturdy. I can’t wait for her to open it when we get to visit for Christmas this year!

The last thing we gifted ourselves this holiday season, was an updated canvas in our living room. My sister-in-law takes our photos for us and we haven’t updated it in a couple of years. I love having our family photo being one of the first things people see when they walk in! These too have always had great quality with clear resolution, and accurate colors. You can see in the photos below our living room gallery too, which is full of photos we printed from Mixbook :)

Let’s face it, at the end of the day you know there are a million (plus some) photos on your phones, screaming to get and be printed. I promise you that Mixbook is the company to help you with that. Pictures are worth a thousand words and make the sweetest holiday presents for your loved ones. If you make your own order this year [or ever] let me know! I would love to know what you purchased. Photo books, cards, invitations, and calendars…this company has so much to offer!

Get Your Shopping On with Evereve!

I was listening to a Podcast recently and they were talking about the clothing store Evereve. Have you heard about this clothing brand? Megan Tamte is the Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and I can relate with her the most because she is a Mama, just like me. Her dream was to open a store that loved and empowered women and fellow moms, and to create a comfortable and kid friendly space. Not only did she do that, Y’all, she actually now has 80 stores across the country, as well as an online site where you can purchase from, and she stands passionately behind her message to mamas around the globe: “We’re cheering for you as you balance playdates and date nights, work and weekends, the daily routine and your dreams.”

All of that being said, I am so excited to have partnered with Evereve to spruce up MY spring closet. I have been rotating outfits for a very, very long time, and it was so nice to be given the opportunity to shop and choose new styles that I feel comfortable and beautiful in. I remember my first email with the company, I told them that I am not a fashion blogger or someone who writes often about clothes/style, and she responded saying, “Don't you worry about a thing. We just expect you to be you. You take beautiful images and we want them to feel authentic and real to you.” I was immediately in and gave a very excited YES when it came to collaborating. I work with a lot of different brands and companies, but when you get the ones who actually fully BELIEVE in you and empower you to be 100% yourself?? Those are the keepers, my friends.

Here are 3 outfits that I absolutely love from Evereve, and I think they are great for spring AND summer!

These cut-out wedges can be worn with almost anything! Jeans, skirts, dresses, even cropped pants! I’ve worn them with several outfits now and always get so many compliments. I’m also a fan of how comfortable these white pants are; they can easily be dressed up OR down. I like wearing these pants with this striped woven tee, but I also wear this tee with dark jeans and sandals. Being able to mix and match the same pieces is definitely ideal for me as a mom who is always looking for ways to save money and be conservative with what I buy.

Now let’s talk about color! I so often am prone to getting grays or neutrals when it comes to tops and blouses, I literally think 90% of my closet currently consists of navy, gray, olive green, and white. When I saw this tank top, I had to get it to add some sunshine to my closet, and it can also be worn with so many different pant options. These are my new skinny ankle jeans, and they’re definitely my new denim favorite. I have also gotten so many compliments on them (especially from my husband, which always feels good am I right??) ;)

This black jumpsuit I purchased with weddings in mind. I am a professional photographer and I always try to wear comfortable and breathable pieces while I shoot weddings. This one will absolutely do the job, and I can also wear it to work, on the go, and when running errands with my kids. I’m wearing it with my new Dr. Scholl’s sandals, which are SO SO SO comfortable! They’re like walking on clouds! The platform wedge gives me just enough boost that I feel taller (something I’m all about since my husband is 6’4) without making me feel like I may break an ankle :)

I think all my Mama friends are going to want the necklace I’m wearing in all of these looks: it is dainty and elegant, and can be worn with literally any outfit! At the price of $34, I really think this is a piece you’re going to want to add to your collection!

So what do you think after scrolling through this post and looking at these outfits? Does it make you want to shop? Mom or not, this store has something for every female! Check out the Evereve locations here, and important for my Louisville gals, they are opening a BRAND NEW store over at Oxmoor and it’s coming June 2019! I cannot wait to go IN PERSON to do some shopping, especially on those ‘treat yo self’ days. Something I want you to remember: you are important. You are loved, you are beautiful, and you are YOU. If you’re already a fan of Evereve and shop there, yay! This is SUCH a good and authentic brand!! And if you are brand new to this company, also yay, because I hope you will be inspired to do some browsing and pick a piece or two (or ten) that screams your name.

Happy shopping, Friends! And thank you so much, Evereve for sponsoring this post and being a company that I 100% believe in.

Gather: There is Always Room at Our Table

Moment of truth: as I photographed this space and scanned through the photos I was taking, the thought, "This is MY dining room???" went through my head. Y'all, I am in love. When I first walked through here, I was a little hesitant and doubted whether our eight foot farmhouse table would FIT. We've had this table for almost a year now, and it's one of our dearest household possessions. I don't know about you, but for us, the table is where memories are made. 

One of my favorite author's, Jen Hatmaker, said in her book For the Love, "Instead of waiting for community, provide it, and you’ll end up with it anyway.” If there is one thing my husband and I strive for, it IS community. We have had led small groups for years, hosted the past three Thanksgivings, and have people over for dinner weekly. The table is where our kids eat all of their meals, it's where we recap our full and busy days, it's the place that we laugh and come together. 

Well, my husband and I have been the king and queen of hand-me-downs and vintage furniture. When we got married (ahem, almost nine years ago!) we were blessed to have parents and friends who gifted us with pieces they no longer needed. But the last few years, and especially once we received this gorgeous table, we really longed for better seating. Seating that would actually match the space, and that looked like it FIT. 

When my friends at Walker Edison Furniture gave me the green light on collaborating for these chairs, I almost cried. Literally. I mean SERIOUSLY...what more perfect chair could GO with this table?!?! The dark wood and white seat backs are almost exact, it's like they were made for each other. See for yourself, just how amazing the dining room looks thanks to these beauties. 

Thank God for a beautiful new house, with an abundance of natural light, white trim throughout, and for a gorgeous place where I look forward to hosting SO MANY meals with friends and families. We are having so much fun decorating and styling this home, but I'm 99% sure that the dining room is complete. 

We are big on loving people. On helping others feel welcome. Inviting individuals in to our mess, because frankly, as pretty as this room looks, that doesn't mean we have it all together. Here is where the goodness happens. Around my husband's home cooked meals, fresh flowers (most days), and often on chairs that have remnants of our children's messy fingers. There is always room at our table, and it's with a very special thanks to Walker Edison Furniture, that I am even more excited to gather here. 

Feels Like Home: Master Bedroom Progress

Well, we're here! Apparently I'm really good at writing posts and then taking long breaks, but we've had a pretty good excuse. We are all moved in and settled at our brand new home, and with as many questions as I've had for our master bedroom and furniture and decor used, I thought now was the perfect time to share with y'all. 

I loved our bedroom in our first home. It had three giant windows that overlooked a beautiful park, and the natural light was to die for. The first thing that I noticed when we walked through our new home, was that the master was beige. It's not that beige is bad [it's not!] it's just that it isn't me. I take a LOT of lifestyle photography in our bedroom, as well as boudoir, and I'm trusted by a lot of people and clients to use the space to produce great photos. So, the day after we moved in, our trusty painter came early in the morning and got started. He used Sherwin William's Snowbound, and three coats later, it looks exactly as I had dreamt it would. 

I wouldn't call the room 'complete' by any means. But it's at a great point that I can show you what we've done thus far, and I'll continue to update you as time goes on. High on my next must have, are matching and modern lamps. The one on the left is an antique Aladdin lamp that my dad has had since he was in his twenties; the one on the right is my great grandmothers. Both are beautiful, but I think they could be used elsewhere in the home (once we get new ones). 

The photo above was taken shortly after our Golden Elsa was home from minor surgery. She had a wart and small tumor removed (ouch!) and she was so tired, I decided not to finish making the entire bed. Ha, I'm a sucker for these fur kids. Anyway. Let me show you some more! 

We had a house warming party this weekend (yesterday!) and so many people said, "You bought a new dresser" when they walked in our bedroom. Nope!! We didn't. We've had this dresser our entire marriage, it's been in my husband's family forever. Before we moved out of our first home, he said, "What if we painted it with the exterior paint that's here?" At first I was skeptical, first of all, the paint was pretty old (probably a big no no in professionals worlds?) but I am thrilled with how it turned out. We purchased new knobs from Lowe's, and their finish is just beautiful.

The round mirror is something that I have wanted for years. Thank God for Instagram and the saving ability; I have had SO many photos saved of this mirror and as soon as the bedroom was painted, the rest of the room just started to flow. It's a Target find, of course, and I went to two different stores across town just to get it. It's currently 5% off now and you can get it online, so for all you who've asked, grab yours quick! 

 The I Choose You print is completely custom and from Dear Lily Mae. The quote is near and dear to my heart, and means a lot to my husband and I. We have it tattooed on our arms, so having it over our bed just made perfect sense. 

The curtains we actually switched with Reese, they used to be in her old room. I love how the gray and white simple design goes with the space. The bedding currently on the bed is from Boll and Branch, by far one of the greatest companies I've been blessed to partner with. The duvet is so soft, (Elsa clearly agrees) and we love using it.

Currently the room is simple, yet elegant, which is exactly how I had envisioned. I think there's some room to tweak and re-arrange, and over time we may get some accent chairs for some extra sitting space. Every day I wake up and open the curtains and my heart is so happy. My husband hung a hummingbird feeder and bird feeder on the deck which is right outside one of the windows, so often while I get ready I see my new bird friends enjoying their treats. It feels like home, and I feel abundantly blessed. 

**Thanks for following along, y'all! If you have any other questions, feel free to shoot me an email or leave a comment in the space below! Happy designing!**