Hearted: Nautical-ness

Have you guys every seen that Seinfeld episode where Seinfeld talks about someone's "ness" when referring to that special something about them? Like Emileeness... just Emilee with ness. Haha, well I love that episode. Hence, Nautical-ness. There is just something so summery about Nautical - I heart it. I love all the little details that go along with it like rope detail, gold accents, stripes galore!!

So I headed over to Polyvore - this amazing size that shoes fashion trends, colors, accessories, etc and with a super easy drag and drop interface it is so easy to create little inspiration boards (which I love)!

So here is my Nautical-ness inspiration board - enjoy!

May Playlist

All of my favorite things that I'm loving this May ~ I hope you see something you like or maybe you have something you are loving this month you'd like to share, I'd love to hear it! 

 

1. Father's Day: Now, I know what you're thinking... "Emilee, Father's Day isn't till June!" I always wait till the last minute on stuff like this, so this year I'm challenging myself along with all of you who suffer this problem with me to start earlier!! I love this card from etsy seller Sweet Perversion Designs. So funny and so something my dad would love haha

2. Go Green!: These adorable re-usable ziplock bags by Sew Long Ziploc are perfect for your summer picnics, work, the beach. Get them now for the summer and save money and trees =)

3. Truly Smitten Blog: My shop Tasteful Tatters just featured a giveaway on Sarah's adorable blog and I am a sponsor there as well for the next couple of months. I just love all of Sarah's work and her daily inspirations. She is truly adorable and I hope you love her blog as much as I do!

4. Fight From Above: I recently had the opportunity to interview this awesome band for YooN'LA Magazine and I'll tell ya, they were SO fun to talk with. It didn't even feel like an interview, it was like they were long-time friends I haven't heard from in while and they are hilarious! Since, I've become addicted to their album L.A. Kids - definitely something to add to my summer playlists

5. Tan Wedges: These adorable yet functional shoes are my all-time fav for May and the rest of summer. They match with everything, the cork sole makes them super comfy, AND they are under $30 from Target!!

6. Trevor Heohne: Trevor is one of my favorite artists right now. His wife went to school with my best friend so I've heard his name and seen his stuff before, but I don't know I just keep finding myself heading back to his blog this month. He is doing some awesome stuff and his photos are so inspiring. I believe his work is truly a work of art.

7. Starbucks Re-usable Tumbler: ok so anyone who knows me knows I HATE drinking water. I know, that is so unhealthy for you. I just don't get thirsty haha. Anyways, despite my distaste for liquids, I have wanted the re-usable tumbler from starbucks since LAST summer and they sold out before I could get one. So this year, I bought one as soon as I saw them hit stores. And I must say - it's true love. I seriously love it. I drank at least 6 glasses of water today! So hydrate up for the warm months ahead with this fabulous tumbler.

8. 31 Bits: I was introduced to this organization through a friend of  mine and I just fall in love with what they are doing every day. Basically, this group of girls started this organization to create an international market and a voice for the beautiful jewelry (made from recycled paper!) the women are already making in Uganda. All of their products are bought directly from the women, are fair trade, are made from recycled paper, and are sold in boutiques across the United States. Check out their website and see all that their doing as well as their Online Store to support the cause.

Lovely Ladies

I had the amazing opportunity to capture the beautiful faces of the Keating sisters for a Mother's Day gift for their mom. The oldest, Crystal came to me and wanted to give their mom something unique and fun for Mother's Day. Their mom LOVES pictures, especially pictures of her kids. However, all her pictures are very "posy" typical portraits so our mission was to get something very casual and real. They were so much fun to hang out with and they are each so unique and beautiful in their own way.

Hope you enjoy! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Just a little silly one =)

Tasteful: Giveaway on Truly Smitten

Woa! Be sure to check out the giveaway on the ever fabulous blog Truly Smitten TODAY!!!

Freebie Friday! Meet Designer Shannon LaBare

Yay! It's Friday and I can't tell you how excited I am for the weekend - I'm pooped! Today we have a very special Freebie. Shannon Labare (designer, artist, creator, graphic designer extraordinaire) designed a beautiful wallpaper AND downloadable Mother's Day card for you guys! It is sooo adorable - any mom would love it. You must check out Shannon's blog and flikr - she does everything from wedding invitations, branding, custom stationary, you name it! Have a great weekend bloggers =)

  Click HERE to download

Click HERE for the Mother's Day Card!

Don't be shy! Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi everyone! Well, my name is Shannon LaBare and I'm so excited to share today with you! I'm a wife to the most amazing husband Scott. We live in the most amazing vintage red ceilinged apartments in Downtown Bakersfield (sounds dreamy, right?). I'm finishing my bachelor's degree in a few weeks at Cal State Bakersfield and can't wait to get out into the real world. Scott and I have an incredibly feisty and silly kitten named Augustus, Gus for short, or Gussy Bear if he's being cute. I am a lover of graphic design, painting, interior design, event planning and design, and all things pretty.

When did your love of creating start?

I've always been around a creative atmosphere. My parents are both creative and always were working on projects around our house. My parents taught me to never be afraid of color, they let me even pick the color of my carpet at age 5 (I chose Little Mermaid pink, of course!). Around high school I started experimenting with Photoshop. From there, I just started making things, learning programs, and figuring out where this was going to take me. Now, i'm 23 finishing school and hoping to take my design all the way. I just love designing, looking at designs, making art, and talking about it. Obsess much?

What is your favorite thing to create?

My favorite thing to create would have to be wedding invitations. I've only done a few ones, but they have really captured my attention. I love all the different elements that goes into create a suite, from the color scheme to the text styles. I just love it all. I love all things wedding, so of course, invitations is only natural.

Can you tell us a little about your creative process? 

Well, every day I look though my favorite inspirational sites, save photos that speak to me, and go from there. When I'm starting fresh on a project, I usually start off with typography. It's amazing to me how new and different fonts can spark ideas as I go along and create the whole feeling of a piece. 

How would you describe your style?

I'd like to believe that I can mold my style to fit whatever my client's looking for. Personally, I love a mixture of clean lines and vintage inspired designs. I love the mixture of modern and antique.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get inspiration from everyday life. I take in all that I see, make mental notes, and maybe infuse that into new designs. I love scouring the internet's blogs and websites of graphic designers, creative minds, and other inspired individuals. There's so much out there that's beautiful, unique, and all around inspirational.

  

What are some of your favorite blogs/links?

Abby Try Again Photography - abbytryagain.bigcartel.com/

Ritzy Bee - http://ritzybee.typepad.com/

Mint Design Blog - http://www.mintdesignblog.com/

Oh, Hello Friend - http://ohhellofriend.blogspot.com/

Creature Comforts - http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/

Parcel Post - http://parcelpost.wordpress.com/

and of course, Emilee! :)

Tasteful: Bloom Boutique

So last weekend was crazy for me!! I had my first boutique featuring Tasteful Tatters on Friday and boy was it an awesome experience. I've never done/been to a boutique before and I really had no idea what to expect. It was so fun to meet so many amazing women with such talent! Man, what an inspiration to be around them. I also had the BEST time meeting all the fabulous people who showed up to the event and came by my table! It was such a blessing to meet everyone and make new friends. I definitely will have to do one of these again - so worth it! Here are a few photos from the evening!

All the fabulous ladies!

My wonderful friends who came to support

If you missed out on the boutique - it's not to late to order a little sumthin' sumthin' =) Check out the shop!