Behind the Scenes – A Johnny Cash Wedding, a Song and a Dance

Today I am back with the last behind the scenes look at our Walk the Line, Johnny Cash shoot with friends from Austin and beyond.  If you missed the first two posts, check  here and here to get caught up!  Before I go any further I must mention the incredible team that brought this experience to life.  From very early in the morning to late into the evening that day Caroline and I had the good fortune of collaborating with a team of  so many willing to share their time with us.  We are so grateful!

Photography Jesse Ryan, Location and Catering The Salt Lick, Floral Design Pollen Floral Art, Dresses Jessica Audey, Design Assistants and Planners Barbara Hearne and April Orr
Hair and Makeup Noemi Esquival of J. Buccio Salon, Ceremony Location Mercury Hall, Vintage Vehicles Transportation Consultants, Linens Marquee Event Group, Pies The Saucy Tart

We began our day at The Salt Lick, to set and shoot the tabletop, vintage cars and stationery. Just the day before, I spent hours in Caroline’s studio painting this 15 foot long paper runner.  Loose roses in blush and gold were accented along either length of the runner by potato stamp dots.  The team at The Salt Lick were incredibly generous with their property and famous fare.  A full spread of ribs, potatoes, coleslaw and pickles were set on platters and plates of mint green plastic; perfectly retro for the scene.  At midday they treated the team to lunch with all the fixin’s…I can still taste the barbecue…unlike anything I’d had before!

Props were incredibly important so Caroline and I set out to find the perfect details.  A trip to Uncommon Objects in Austin yielded some perfect finds from the bride’s shoes to a wooden stand for the table’s centerpiece.

What do a baby piano and a set of old TV trays have in common?  Place cards were set atop the old TV trays with hints of black velvet ribbon here and there.  Each place setting boasted a sweet rose and lamb’s ear teacup arrangement by Brooke.  How sweet is the baby piano? I could not think of a more perfect place to put those Man in Black paper goods!

and a dance…I want to dance like this, don’t you?

Our day concluded first with a stop at Mercury Hall…

…and then finally a visit to an iconic recording studio in a quiet Austin neighborhood.  Such stars as Willie Nelson and Dollie Parton recorded there but since Caroline was friends with the owners we had the thrill of stepping inside this music world, even if just for a moment.

It was an epic time meeting new friends and making connections of the kind meant to last a long while.  There is already talk of a reunion project…I can hardly wait.

Behind the Scenes – A Johnny Cash Wedding with Paloma’s Nest and Friends

There are moment when your life shifts.  Usually these are small moments when big change is least expected but most likely.  Saying yes to an idea or just being in the moment with an welcoming mind can open doors to so much good.

I’ve said it before. One of the great joys of this business are the people.  Our couples, the artists I share each day with and the fellow industry talents I call friends.  This story is about those friends.

In November of 2009 I hopped a flight to join Lara Casey and team in celebration of Southern Weddings V2.  In an innocent car ride to dinner after meeting up with then twitter friend Caroline of Paloma’s Nest, an idea found its voice.  A certain song came on the radio…the deep, dark, velvety sound of Johnny Cash’s voice filled the space and in a moment Caroline said, “we need to do a Walk the Line shoot”.  Oh yes.

The plan immediately took shape and soon after the launch party we were both back in our studios with shoot plans well underway.  Caroline and I with different aesthetics found a way to work together that was both energizing and enlightening.  Soon I was buying plane tickets for a week-long trip to Austin last March.

Over the next few days I will be sharing more about our collaboration which we lovingly called the “Walk the Line Shoot”.   This experience quickly became so much more than staging stunning wedding details…it became more about reaching out of the box of daily life to find kindred spirits.  It was about making art together and offering up smart ideas to couples that are truly accessible in so many ways.

Sharing the details has been a long time coming.  This industry certainly teaches patience First up is a look at the inspiration board that started it all!

Hymnal, Johnny Cash, Chandelier in Garden, Dress, Carnival Glass, Cabin, Flowers

Concept sketch

The labor of love this shoot became was recently featured in Southern Weddings Magazine V3.  So many more goodies to come in my series of posts including never-before-seen shots!  Can’t wait to see more?  Check out Caroline’s interview of the Etsy blog OR read more about my time in Austin here!

Hello 2011 – Looking Back, Thinking Forward

A custom piece I had Caroline of Paloma’s Nest create for the studio last year.

I sat down with myself this weekend and took a tour back in time.  2010 was an exhilarating year of firsts, falls, freedom and family in so many ways.  I leap into 2011 with a full heart and peaceful mind thankful for more than I can properly put into words.  This is a year to build upon all that we have learned while being mindful of those who helped us along the way.   Most importantly to the couples who make each day what it is at the studio; thank you for your ideas, big visions and trust.  We are so grateful.

I invite you to take a few minutes to experience some Momental highlights from 2010 and some words on 2011!

Looking Back, Thinking Forward on YouTube

My Story is Art – 2011 Intentions and a look back

I tweeted this on Monday:

“2011 planning continues this week. My go to words this year: RE-DEFINE, GRACE, PAINTERLY, NARRATE. What are yours?”

Then Michelle from Sage Wedding Pros tweeted this and my head has been spinning ever since:

What is your INTENTION for 2011?

This year has gone by faster than any other in my life.  To say this year was full of changes, landmarks and hurdles is an understatement.  All good, moving-forward type changes though.  The kind any good life lead needs.  Moving into 2011 I am forever mindful of 4 distinct intentions:

1. We get only so far doing things as we have always done them.  RE-DEFINEition is the key to growth.

Alchemy at the Barn  shoot. Read more here, here and here.

2. Creative endeavors are at their finest when approached with a measure of GRACE.

I love to travel and each year I look forward to the Engage Events.  Sketching this year’s speakers was an honor.  Sketching the event live allowed me to really soak it all in.

3. Painting is at the core of what we do.  The PAINTERLY the better this coming year is where it’s at.

The Inspired Invitation collaborations with Jen and Green Wedding Shoes this year were a thrill!  Read more here, here and here!

4. NARRATEing is the heartbeat of my life.  I tell stories in paper, paint and prose everyday; stories of life, love and passion.  Here’s to another year of living mindfully everyday

Several trips to Utah this past year gave me a certain peace and verve for creating new art.  Read more here, here and here!

Lastly as I launch into 2011 I need to say thank you to so many.  This journey is laden with people who make each step easier, more enlightened and full of fun.  For those of you who read along everyday and give encouragment with your sweet comments, I thank you too.  You support mean so much, everyday.  Cheers!!

Out and About – A Momental Girl in Austin

Okay, I know the blog title is cheesy but here I am still in Austin and loving every minute of it!  I had the great fortune of working with some amazing individuals over the last three days and feel truly inspired to be creating art with them.  Caroline, from Paloma’s Nest is a kindred spirit of sorts and collaborating was a treasure.   I even had the privilege of painting for several hours on her very own studio table – how cool?!!  My time here has been quite magical, between eating a generous spread at the Famous Salt Lick to having my work photographed by the genuinely talented and sincerely sweet Jesse Ryan, I feel incredibly grateful.

Yesterday, I met up with a long time friend who has called this city home for the last few years.  She was my personal tour guide and is an artist herself, so seeing Austin through her eyes was quite special.  A stop at Whole Foods headquarters for the best salad of my life began the day, then a walk to Anthropologie…I cannot stop thinking about their decorative doorknobs.  We then ventured to South Congress and entered the visual jungle that is Uncommon Objects, which can best be described as an artistically organized haven for rare vintage goods.

Sharing my adventures of the past week in detail is off limits for now but until then have a look at some watercolor goodness fresh my my hotel room!  Brooke from Pollen Floral Art let me take this beauty with me after the shoot and I just couldn’t let it go to waste!  Curious to hear a bit more about #Austinshoot…?

I can hardly wait to be back in the studio to transform this into invitation loveliness.  The Juliette roses and blooming succulents were my favorites to capture; love the shapes and colors of each and how the delicate petals of the roses contrasted with the round, pod-like shape of the succulents.

So thank you again to all who made me feel so welcome in Austin.  I had the chance to meet so many lovely people and work side by side with such good and generous industry talent.  I can see why Austin residents are so proud of their city.  Their is a certain magic here, in the places and the people.  A magic that is already inspiring my next adventure!

A new home for all things Paloma’s Nest!

As you know, Paloma’s Nest pieces are among my favorites.  For me her Modern heirlooms are like a breath of fresh air.  Two pieces in particular play a part in my daily life and are cherished for their simple, yet profound message.  This is the heart of what makes a Paloma’s Nest piece so impacting – simple message filled with sincerity, heart and hope.

The new Paloma’s Nest site is live and it is simply gorgeous.  Tons of new features to make custom ordering a breeze and the lovely new Heirloom Packaging are just some of the highlights surrounding Caroline’s exciting launch! 

The new Heirloom Packaging includes a hand crafted slide-top wooden box, paired with their wooden Heirloom Tag™- a special place to record the names of those who have received and cherished the heirloom inside the box.  As the Paloma’s Nest piece is passed on, so is this Heirloom Tag™-as a written history of your tradition for future generations to inherit. This Heirloom Packaging Option will be available as an upgrade on any order.  As always, the signature Paloma’s Nest packaging is included in every order at no additional cost!

Another exciting addition is the launch of “Stories to Tell” Caroline’s blog!  We were honored to be included on Caroline’s blogroll and cannot wait to step behind the scenes at the Paloma’s Nest studio and following along in her adventures.  We especially love Caroline’s post today…Home is Where Your Heart Is.

So head over, have a look and perhaps order your very own Paloma’s Nest treasures since SHIPPING IS FREE worldwide, on every item in the shop from February 15-March 1 only!

New Year’s Brunch with Bella Signature, Paloma’s Nest and friends!

In October of last year I met Daniela at Engage o9!: The Encore in Las Vegas.  After a fun dinner and some time to chat an idea was born!  Daniela from Bella Signature Design emailed me after returning from the conference with the New Year’s Brunch tabletop shoot concept.  A few words from Daniela like, understated, elegant, gold and pink were all I needed to vision the stationery pieces.  The shoot took place on the Seattle coastline, complete with gourmet goodness from Carla at Bainbridge Style, all captured by talented UK photographer  Philip Meadows.  One of my favorite people Caroline from Paloma’s Nest created custom bowls for each place setting!

Daniela dipped the orchid brances above in gold – stunning!

I captured a few shots of my own before sending the pieces off to Daniela.  Camellia’s were the flower of choice for this collection accented with creamy white hand-painted details and soft shimmering pink inks throughout. My sketchy illustration seemed the perfect contrast to the regal paisley patterned paper from Envelopments used for liners and borders.  The contrast painting technique is one of my favorites as the creamy ivory ink seems to literally pop off the gold shimmering cardstock.

This flower shot is nothing short of WOW!  So loving the barely ripe raspberries Daniella incorporated.

Place cards per place setting were adorned with my white camellia sketch and
poignant quotes appropriate for New Year’s Resolution making.    One of my favorite quotes from the place cards:

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”   – Soren Kierkegaard

For more on this shoot visit Daniela’s site here and Carla’s site here!