The Bloom Workshop

March 12, 2015March 14, 2015 Twelfth LightLeave a comment

A few months ago I won a ticket to The Bloom Workshop based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I couldn’t believe it when my name was posted as the winner. I was running around my house excitedly and immediately called Lydia over at Let’s Dazzle Darlings to share the news because my win meant we would be road tripping 8 hours (10+ for me) to the mitten.

Bloom is owned by the gorgeous Michaela of Michaela Noelle Designs and Ashley of Ashley Slater Photography. Their workshops are for anyone who loves to be creative and artsy and learn something new. My favorite part is that you don’t need to be a blogger or own a company to attend! If you love pretty things and learning, Bloom is for you!

The workshop I attended (La Petite Bloom) was a half-day crammed with tons of beautiful things and incredibly talented artists, such as Spring of Spring Sweet Florals and Jessica of Jessica Albers Studios. We learned how to arrange pretty blooms and tried our hand at calligraphy (which, to my surprise, may be my new addiction)!

If you want to attend a future Bloom session (which I recommend), they might be coming to a city near you this year! The tickets get snatched up quickly, so here are their tour dates and you can register right here or just click the workshop of your choice below. Remember, if you see “La Petite Bloom” that means it’s a half-day workshop and the others are FULL days of heavenly beauty!

{ Bloom }

{ Grand Rapids }

Here are some of my favorite shots from around the city.

Thank you to all of the creative women who were part of this magical day. I feel so honored to have been a part of it. I also need to take a hot second to thank the very hospitable Erin (of Erin Leigh Design) & Amanda (of Bailey and James) for welcoming us to their beautiful city. #Instameets are my new favorite thing. I also need to thank Bob, Lydia’s hubby, for letting us put hundreds of miles of his car to get us there (and for leaving that Tupac CD in the 6-disc)!

Thinking spring,
Destiny

P.S.
“[The] Earth laughs in flowers…” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some photo credits and rights belong to Let’s Dazzle Darlings and Erin Leigh Design.

Book Paper Wreath DIY

March 1, 2015May 28, 2015 Twelfth LightLeave a comment

Last week on Instragram my blogger pal Erin over at Erin Leigh Design and I ran a literary giveaway and the prizes included one of Erin’s darling pillows and one of my book paper wreaths.

I thought I’d outline the instructions for this wreath since it’s a fairly easy little DIY and it only cost about $16!!!

Materials

Book pages (I used 50-60)
Hot glue gun & glue
Decorative add-on (optional)
Foam wreath (12″ or 16″)
Staple gun & staples
Ice pack for your hand after staple gunning (jk, but not really).

TL1 — This foam wreath is 16″ but you can also use 12″

TL2 — Start by taking the book pages and wrapping around the wreath and stapling. Don’t worry about wrinkles or imperfections here because most of this will be hidden. You’re just creating a cover, essentially, so you don’t see the foam from the side when the wreath is hanging.

TL3 — When you’re done, the back should look like this.

TL4 — Next, take a pile of book pages and fold them in half. Note that I folded them in different directions. Also, when I tore them I made sure to have some imperfect edges because I love how those pages look on the wreath. Basically what I’m telling you is that you can’t mess this up! 🙂

TL5 — FRONT: I always choose a really unique page with a different look to it (like a “Chapter” or “Epilogue” page) and use that as my “top center” piece. Take your folded pieces and wrap them from the front around the back and put one staple on front and one on back. This part of the process will determine your overall diameter of the wreath when it’s complete.

TL6 — BACK: Here’s what the back looks like now as the folded pages start to wrap around.

TL7 — Here’s row 1 finished. Now, all you do is start this process all over again, but off-set where you staple and wrap more of the page around the back to layer the pages. I use three layers. You also need to use the hot glue gun for layers 2 and 3 if you don’t want the staples to show on the front (which I don’t). Just put a blob of glue behind the pages to attach.

Wreath 3 — I always like to add a little somethin’ to the bottom to add some texture. In this case, since it was a giveaway item, I added removable fabric flowers (attached with alligator clips). I always suggest removable accessories because then you can swap them out to go with a any season or holiday. Not to mention, you can make changes as your style or trends change.

Xoxo,
Destiny

Post Script:
Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative place where no one else has ever been. ~Alan Alda

D+D Wedding II

ImageFebruary 14, 2015June 20, 2015 Twelfth LightLeave a comment

❤ Happy Valentine’s Day ❤ I’m elated that this week’s wedding post falls on Valentine’s Day since today’s image gallery is of our ceremony (the most important part of the big day, right??). Well, besides the cake. Haha. If you missed last week’s slideshow and want to start from the beginning, you can check it […]

D+D Wedding I

February 7, 2015June 20, 2015 Twelfth Light1 Comment

After posting images of our wedding altar last week, I’ve received some requests to see more, more, more! Since Valentine’s Day is approaching, I thought this would be the perfect month to share all of our wedding details. So, Every Saturday throughout February I’ll post a little slideshow focusing on different elements of our big day! I also promise to share all of the seriously talented vendors who helped make our day simply perfect. Here is the line-up:

Week 1: Pre-Ceremony Details
Week 2: Ceremony Details
Week 3: Reception Details
Week 4: D&D’s favs!

I think the most incredible thing about our wedding is that we planned the whole thing ourselves (with many DIY projects) and all without Pinterest!! Seriously…it wasn’t even a thing yet!! What!?! I envy you Pinterest brides! 🙂 Instead, I relied on Style Me Pretty and Weddingbee for ideas. Luckily, there was Etsy! You’ll notice that my list of sources include many Etsy shop owners. This is undoubtedly my favorite way to shop. I love supporting small-businesses and I have never had a shop owner deny any of my (sometimes crazy) customization requests. My veil designer worked so hard to get the exact look I wanted and she even named the beaut after me!! C’mon!! So, please consider Etsy sellers when planning events or weddings–you won’t be disappointed.

Looking back at all the images I decided to share with you, it’s hard for me to believe that hubby and I are approaching our 4 year anniversary! #timeflieswhenyou’rehavingfun, right?? Sheesh! Well, I truly hope you enjoy week 1 and stop back next weekend!

Valentine’s Day Countdown: 7 days! ❤

{Pre-Ceremony Details}

{Sources}

Photography: Alyssa Andrew Photography
Floral: Allium Floral Design
Bouquet wrap: Toile and a borrowed piece from my Gram ❤
Hotel: Hotel Bethlehem
Trolley: Bucks County Trolley Company
“The Dress”: Mikaella Bridal from Renaissance Bridals
Bride’s pumps: Liz Rene Couture
Bride’s bling: Cuff here and similar earrings here
Skeleton key garter: Shabee Stiches
Mother-of-the-bride fashion: Similar here
Bridesmaids: JCrew Bow Monde dress in Caspian Blue and Aluminum
Bridesmaid’s hair clip: HeadsUpFashion
Shoe clips: Vintage (Musi Shoe Clips) from Etsy
Veil: The Destiny veil from Amie Noel Designs
Groom’s Boutonniere: Copper pick from The Copper Poppy
and then I sent to Fritts Rosenow for arrangement
Groom’s bling: Guess
Groom’s attire: Calvin Klein
Groom’s tie: Ties-Neckties
(Finding the perfect shade for your groom’s tie is virtually impossible, but this website nailed it!!!)

I’ll leave you with some of my favorite quotes from 1913’s Don’t For Husbands:

“Don’t always refuse to go shopping with your wife. Of course it’s a nuisance, but sometimes she honestly wants your advice, and you ought to be pleased to give it.”

“Don’t forget to be your wife’s best friend as well as her husband. True friendship in marriage does away with all sorts of trouble.”

“Don’t settle down into an “old married man” while you are still in the prime of life. Take your wife out and about; give parties; visit your friends; and you will keep much younger than if you settle into the smoking-jacket and slippers habit.”

Xoxo,
Destiny