Category: glimpse

the grass is always greener

Friday, June 11th, 2010

The grass is always greener, in Portland, Oregon. You can’t really argue, especially with all that rain. For as long as Jevan and I have known one another, we’ve tossed around the idea of moving to Portland. He’s from there. And years before I knew him, I came very close to moving there. Twice. The first time was for a summer internship. Atlanta called instead. After graduating college, Portland came up again. This time, Denver ended up being home. Once Jevan and I got together, we relished in the idea of someday moving to Portland. Not really sure when or how it would happen, we knew we would be open to the opportunity.

After 9 incredible years of living in Colorado, playing in the powdery white snow, basking in the over 300 days of sunshine per year, getting to know some incredible people who have become my family, it’s time to move on. And this time it’s Portland, OR. Third time’s a charm, right? It’s definitely not goodbye. Because you’ll still see me here. And know that we’ll be back to the Cee Oh. I can’t go too long without sunshine or the fluffy snow that I know and love.

unruly things photo

I’m here for a few more months, until we sell our house and I wrap up a few projects. Jevan leaves much sooner. He’s going to be working with a brand new snowboarding company, more on that soon. In the mean time, we’re taking advantage of all Colorado has to offer. And summer really is an incredible time to be here. A list is in the making. It includes all the fun things we want to check off before we head out. There are bike rides, camping, Sunday jazz in the park, the Ft. Collins brewery bike tour, trail runs, and brunch with friends (Denver is getting really good with the breakfast thing). There are still a handful of restaurants I have yet to try. And of course, I’m planning to spend as much time as possible with the people that I love.

The one word that rings true throughout this process is bittersweet. I am going to miss Denver with all my heart but am so excited for this new opportunity. I get to meet new people, eat new things, explore new places. It’s going to be very, for lack of a better word, new. Over the next few weeks, months, however long it is that I’ll be here, I’m going to share some of my favorite things about Colorado and what made it home. I always want to remember my time here and what I love about this place.

And, here’s just one of my favorite Coloradan’s sharing her 30 days of awesome. Check it out, if you’re into awesome.

Portland Photos: zisforzephyr, unruly things

p.s. i love you

Monday, May 31st, 2010

What is it about the photo booth that is so fun? The instant gratification? The, you better make this good because you only have 4 shots? Whatever it is, I never tire of them and love the story they tell. Albeit short. Fortunately the Ace has recognized this love and put a photo booth in their hotel(s). That’s Sam and Meghan on the left and Jevan and me on the right, post wedding day. A little blurry because it’s a photo copy but you get the idea.

For anyone who is new to this blog, whether it’s via Domestic Reflections or taking a look at Sam and Meghan’s wedding photos, welcome. I hope you’ll stay a while. I have tons more things to share, inspiring style muses, scouting trips and fantastic interiors planned for the summer. p.s. I love you isn’t just about loving Palm Springs, it’s about loving you guys too! So welcome, in the most Southern way I know. Hope you are having a fantastic holiday weekend.

Photo: the Ace Hotel blog

marriage in the desert : joshua tree

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Palm Springs was a last minute trip and one Jevan and I couldn’t pass on. It’s not often two of your favorite people elope and also ask you to witness. Make that never. Getting married is typically such a momentous occasion. The location, the guest list, the flowers, the cake, the food, the dress. I could go on and on. It’s refreshing to see such a significant union paired down to the essentials; two people who love one another. Getting married in the desert couldn’t have been more fitting for these two. There was no stress, no pressure, no bridezilla. Only Sam and Meghan happier than I’ve ever seen them.

We made the hour long drive from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree, stopping at the wind turbines for only a minute. Of all places I’ve traveled, Joshua Tree is up there with being one of the most magical. Add in a couple that is madly in love and it’s instant sparks. Once in Joshua Tree National Park, we picked a perfect spot for the ceremony. It wasn’t hard because every direction we looked was the ideal spot. Meghan picked desert flowers for her bouquet and Sam’s pocket boutonniere. Connie, now known as Rev. Wohn, packed an incredible picnic of cheese, crackers, meats and fruit. We listened to music fitting for a wedding in the desert and feasted.

The ceremony was simple, personal and very touching. It was about Sam and Meghan and their love for one another. We took tons of photos, laughed, drank champagne and celebrated until the sun set. I feel so incredibly lucky to have been a part of this moment in their life. Sam and Meghan, I wish you a lifetime of happiness together. The best is yet to come.

Meghan giving her flowers back to the desert.

Photos: the K.I.D Collective. I’m working to get photos up on flickr. I’ll let you know once that happens.

style muse : my mom in the 70′s

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Mother’s Day is right around the corner so I thought I would share some of my favorite photos of my mom. As a style muse, she has this effortless style. It’s simple, classic and uncomplicated. Checkout her top knot, I’ve been seeing a lot of that lately. Mom never followed many of the trends, minus the Sally Jessy Raphael glasses and the perms but we won’t talk about the 80′s. She raised two kids, ran a business with my dad and designed every square inch of all the homes we ever lived in. And that’s just a start. From what I hear, she’s causing a ruckus in her quilting circle and she even has her own blog. She taught me just about everything I know about sewing. And, a few weeks before my wedding she flew out last minute to help me finish my dress. I guess she could tell how frantic I was becoming. Mom’s are good like that.

This weekend my parents are heading up to the Boston area to celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary (wow, I know), Mother’s Day and do a little exploring with Joe and Lora. If you know of any places they should eat (they love seafood) or sites they should check out, shoot me an email info@thekidcollective.com or comment below. They would love to hear from someone in the know.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Moms, Grandmothers, mothers-to-be and even the dads who have taken over as moms. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you.

Photos: the K.I.D Collective archives 1974 – 1979.

3 years

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

I always rolled my eyes when adults said “time flies”. It took me 32 years to understand this saying and man, were they right. What seems like just yesterday but was actually three years ago today Jevan and I were married in Crested Butte, Colorado. All of our closest friends and family were there despite the blizzard like conditions. It was a wedding suited perfectly to us; simple, casual and perfectly cozy. A foot of new snow for our post wedding day on the mountain didn’t hurt either. I designed and made my wedding gown, a simple silk charmeuse number of the most perfect silvery color. The rest of the wedding party wore black and there were pops of magenta and turquoise with a few peacock feathers for added drama.

We were married here and stayed the entire weekend at the CB Retreat with friends and family. A few hours before the wedding, the snow let up and the sun came out, it couldn’t have been a more perfect mountain setting. That day was such a blur of emotions, I’m so happy to have had the weekend to celebrate with friends and family. And, I look forward to not only the next 3 years but what the next 30 will bring. Happy Anniversary my love.

photos: 1. the K.I.D Collective 2. Suzanne Shaff Photography

in like a lion

Monday, March 1st, 2010

My great friend Gina had a little boy, Josef Edmund, in the wee hours of the night. Mom and baby are doing well. I seriously can’t wait to meet him. In the mean time, take a look at this amazing crib his dad, a furniture designer, is finishing up for little Jo. I’m trying to talk him into making these for everyone. You would buy one, right?

onnie is 90

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

I’m back in Tennessee again and school is canceled because of a slight dusting of snow. This makes me giggle a little because of the lack of snow on the ground but with the anticipation of more to come. That’s good ole’ Tennessee for you. In all honesty, I did love those impromptu snow days. They usually didn’t involve sledding or snowball fights like most snow days, because of lack of snow remember, but instead involved my brother and me sitting at the kitchen counter making something with my mom. Usually chocolate chip cookies but sometimes crafty type things too.

Part of the reason I’m back to the South is to celebrate Onnie’s 90th birthday. Onnie is my grandmother on my mom’s side and she’s been known as Onnie for as long as I can remember. That’s her in the photo above with my grandfather. The photo was taken some time in the 40′s.

She’s an incredibly strong, independent woman and has been a role model to me my entire life. At 90, she’s still taking complete care of herself, including drives to her exercise classes and to see friends. She still has her garden, although only a quarter the size these days. Her home grown tomatoes are the reason I can’t eat a tomato from the grocery store this time of year. I wait for the real deal. She’s also the one who taught me pickles don’t have to come from the grocery store, you can make your own. And every single birthday until I was officially an adult, Onnie made me a homemade birthday cake. Whatever shape, theme or flavor I wanted. And she didn’t just do this for me, she did it for everyone.

To celebrate, we are having an intimate family dinner of 20ish with some of her favorites; meatloaf, mac and cheese, green beans and apple pie. She said, if she makes it to 95 she’ll have a big party but there’s no point in making a big to-do about 90.

That’s Onnie and me on my 1st birthday. I’m trying my first ever birthday cake, made by Onnie of course. I can’t say I loved it. Thank goodness she didn’t seem to mind.

happy early valentine’s day

Friday, February 12th, 2010

While I’m not a big proponent of the Hallmark Valentines Day I do get excited about a special day dedicated to romance. We could all benefit from additional romance in our lives.

This year I’m heading home to spend Valentines Day with some of my best friends, there’s a baby shower happening, and my grandmother is turning 90. I couldn’t really miss that, now could I? Since I won’t be spending Valentines Day with my man, I am going to send him on a little scavenger hunt to find his card (we’re not doing gifts this year) and I’m going to do it via this blog. Hope you don’t mind.

In the mean time, Winston will do just about anything for a snuggle, you know, in case you were wondering. Happy Hearts Day. I hope you get to spend it with those you love. Have a wonderful weekend!

new year, new you?

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

fred butler 2010 glasses

Reinventing myself at this point is pretty much out of the question. Plus, I’m not so bad off that I need a complete overhaul. Just a few tweaks and some goals should do the trick. Last January I posted about the Anti Resolution. Which pretty much got me no where with goals. So I’m doing it. I’m giving you my resolutions, in hopes that you will hold me somewhat accountable. I would do the same for you. At least I can come back to this post and remember that I claimed at one point to want to be a better version of me. No harm in that. Right?

Don’t skim. I have this horrible habit of skimming over things. Like directions, books, emails, spreadsheets, recipes, blog posts that need to be proofed before posted. I need to take more time. Not to rush and READ THE WORDS. Not just the big ones but ALL of them.

Learn something new. Whether it’s a backside 180 (I’m working on it people), a second language, or grow my own veggies from seeds, I need a good challenge and these would probably have me excited, frustrated and definitely challenged. All part of learning something new.

green dress and red tights

Wear less black. I love black. Not only does it make me look slimmer but it also gives me that moody, brooding, designer type edge. It’s perfect for client meetings because I want clients to focus on my ideas not what I’m wearing. This year, I want to break out of my mold and add pieces that have more pattern, color and texture in my wardrobe and that also feel as sophisticated and understated as their black counter part.

Don’t take things so seriously. See issues above. Thank goodness I have Jevan to help me with this one. He was class clown in high school. Just one of the many reason I married him. Maybe with a little more color in my life, I’ll loosen up a bit!

Call my grandmother’s more often. They will both be 90 this year and have learned and lived through so much. Living 1200 miles away from the majority of my family makes it more difficult to see each other on a regular basis. I want to develop a better relationship with them before I don’t have the option.

delancey - seattle

Reinstate date night and supper club. Jevan and I get so busy with work, hanging out with friends, or just regular life, we forget to take time to enjoy dinner just the two of us. Especially at a proper table, coffee table doesn’t count here, without a TV, the day’s mail, twitter, facebook, or my newest distraction, Words with Friends involved.  And, we’ve been talking about supper club for months. You know who you are. Let’s do this.

Make more stuff. And start crossing the things already on the list off said list. This means the lamp, the gloves, the motorcycle jacket I began 2 years ago, the cassoulet, the chocolate chesnut mousse cake I have taped to my inspiration board. Yes, I consider chocolate inspiring.

Officially set up my business. License, tax stuff, resale id, everything.

More focus on this blog. I’m the first to admit, I’m all over the board when it comes to posts I write. I want to focus on more creativity and inspiration, the things that keep you coming back here. Is there anything you would like to see more of in 2010 on this blog?

Photos: 1. Fred Butler, 2. Deviant Art, 3. Orangette

scenes from christmas

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Hi, remember me? I’m a little behind schedule when it comes to posting these days. I have so much to share but haven’t made the time to put together some posts. Here are a few photos from my grandmother’s farm. We took a walk around the property after a very filling Christmas Eve meal. This used to be a full working farm complete with hen house, smoke house, pig house, 2 barns, a pond with ducks, and even a little koi pond. We were reminiscing about time spent there while on the walk. It truly impressed me at how sustainable my great grand parents and grandparents were. They grew and raised just about everything they needed for food. My grandmother will be 90 this year and leases out the property to other farmers because it’s a little much for her at this point.

The hen house.
One of the two barns. My grandmother also used to raise goats.

Opa’s smoke house and a perfectly shaped silver maple. Opa, my great grandfather, used to smoke the most incredible sausage from this little house.
A little pop of red on an otherwise gray day.

Photos: all photos taken by Jevan