May Around The Web

May is one of my favorite months of the year, and my allergies haven't even been quite as terrible as normal! This month I traveled to Chicago for a work event, tried a Soul Cycle class, attended Hallmark's Creative Leadership Symposium (and a Gemma O'Brien Meet & Greet!), spent Mother's Day in KC (complete with a delicious lunch and the Symphony Designers' Showhouse), watched my youngest sister, Grace, graduate from sixth grade, participated in a piñata making workshop for one of #My5Days, marbled paper with my team at work, and continued working on Mother's Day 2018 cards!

Looking back, this month was filled with some pretty special opportunities and lots of making. One of my favorite parts of these posts is thinking back on what I accomplished during the last month, and of course seeing what inspired me. I have been constantly impressed by Nick Misani's Fauxsaics. They are stunning! If you haven't already seen them be sure to take a look. I noticed on Instagram he might be teaching a class to share his process, which would definitely be something I would need to sign up for. Here are some of my other favorite finds this May:

• I love this faux-flower DIY from Sugar & Cloth!

• These are the perfect shorts to celebrate warmer weather. 

• An interesting read, good thoughts for business owners and those working corporate jobs.

• A beautiful home in Berlin.

• I would love to try making these smoothies, they are so pretty!

• A great guide to pressing flowers, I also want to get Beci Orpin's new book, Sunshine Spaces. 

• I don't need these pineapple earrings, but they sure are cute!

• Create*Cultivate in New York looked amazing, and these thoughts on Instagram are worth reading.

• New balloons from Studio DIY!

• I've been dreaming about an outdoor space at our next place, and I loved Emily's patio. 

• AND Pippa got married this month!

Until next month, happy reading!

Addie and Arron’s Wedding Invitations

Happy Monday, friends! Today I wanted to share a recent wedding suite I created for my neighbor, Addie. My favorite detail was the watercolor greenery in her envelope liners. Enjoy!

---

Allie Smith Wedding Collection for Hallmark Gold Crown

I am so happy to share my wedding collection for Hallmark Gold Crown! It will be in stores through the end of the year. Designing this collection as a newlywed felt like the perfect way to complete my wedding festivities. You can find the whole collection online and in Hallmark Gold Crown Stores. I hope these cards help make someone in your life's wedding even more special. Enjoy! 

---

Dominican Republic Trip

Last week I was lucky enough to jet off to the Dominican Republic to see two friends from college get married! We stayed at the Hard Rock Punta Cana and couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather.

This trip was a rare exception where I didn't take too many pictures, but instead relaxed and enjoyed the beach, pool and a snorkel trip. But I did get a chance to test out my GoPro and made a super informal video with my friends. I am still getting the hang of filming without feeling awkward, but I am planning on making a few videos when I head to Italy in a few weeks. I'm really happy I tested it out beforehand, I know the video will be fun way to remember the trip.  I hope you all are off somewhere sunny this summer!

---

Wedding Monogram for Liz and Cole

Here is a quick peek at a watercolor wedding monogram I created for a lovely Kansas City couple, Liz and Cole. They were married just a few weeks ago! 

---

April Around The Web

I hope you all had a lovely April! This month was much anticipated, and full of surprises and spontaneous decisions. Here are a few of my favorite finds around the web this month:

• I love seeing some of my favorite bloggers creating cards for Hallmark Signature! Take a peek at Sugar & Cloth's line for Mother's Day

• An interesting take on a Fourth of July wedding (I can't stop obsessing over the palm backdrop)

• While I definitely don't need another necklace, this one from J.Crew is very tempting. 

• My husband Dale and I are planning a late anniversary trip to Nashville in the fall, so I don't want to loose track of this city guide from A Beautiful Mess!

• Such a dreamy nursery. Nothing better than pale pink, swans, and a paper flower installation.

• I have been a longtime fan of Emma Watson, and these quotes are pretty spot on. Especially this:

“Becoming yourself is really hard and confusing, and it’s a process. I was completely the eager beaver in school, I was the girl in the front of the class who was the first person to put her hand up, and it’s often not cool to be the person that puts themself out there, and I’ve often gotten teased mercilessly, but I found that ultimately if you truly pour your heart into what you believe in—even if it makes you vulnerable—amazing things can and will happen. ”

— Emma Watson

Personally this month I was able to spend a weekend in Lawrence with my mom and sister while Dale visited his friend in Boston. I love being back in my college town, and even got to stop in the new Wonder Fair location. I also purchased a painting this month from my mentor, Lisa Rogers, show. I can't wait to get it home! This weekend I will be reunited with my girl friends for a Bachelorette Party, which will be the perfect end to the month. I can't wait for more springtime adventures in May!

---