craving: gray malin prints (and a trip to the beach)

gray malin print via one kings lane

This morning, when I woke up to an email reminder that Emily Henderson's One Kings Lane went live today (that's right. I set a reminder because let's be real. If you don't like a wood and teal chair you're just as crazy as the people who swim in the nearby lake. Okay, maybe not. But seriously, teal velvet? What's not to love there.) anyhow, back to the point. I hopped over to the site, and after a significant amount of time passed drooling over brass animals and trying to rationalize buying the California State flag because we love bears in this household, I noticed their was also a sale on Gray Malin's prints. Let it be known that I love Gray Malin. The colors, the view points- awesomeness. And I originally only clicked because their were aerial shots of skiers, but then the beach photos sucked me in. The greens and blues and bright orange beach chairs... I could almost smell the sunscreen.

And unless you failed 3rd grade (or went to a school where there weren't enough maps per Ms. South Carolina) you know that Colorado is landlocked. Growing up in Georgia, J and I have always been pretty close to some sort of water (for him it was the Chattahoochee, for me it was the Savannah River.) Add that to the fact we both have family in Florida (and therefore had at least yearly beach trips) water has always been a part of our life. Now, well not so much. I mean, Colorado has rivers. And lakes. We actually live like 3 blocks from a beautiful one, but given the insane amount of geese that have made it their home (and the fact that is isn't fed by a river or anything) I'll definitely call you crazy is you take a dip in that stagnant gross goose water.  But what we don't have? Oceans. Which of course means, I want to go to one. Like now. A good 3-4 days soaking up sun, hearing the waves crash, feeling the hot sun in between your toes, etc is all I need. But since that isn't always possible* this photograph may just have to suffice.

*J and I may or may not have started planning a trip to visit his parents and grandmother in Florida. I mean, it's been over a year so it's about darn time we go visit, but I'd be lying if I didn't say the photos my FIL send of them at the beach aren't somewhat enticing as well... He's one smart man, my FIL.

Color Inspiration: Tuscan Sunset

painting via mockingbird works, arrangement via oncewed, photo via tim will, doodles via me

I love the colors of this board- the burnt terra-cotta, the parchments, the olives, the golds. There is a sophisticated simplicity to them that reminds me of sun setting over an olive tree grove.

color inspiration: apricot, lace, and gold

Lisa Warninger photo via frolic, jen ramos artwork, svpply glassware, doodles by me

This combination kind of makes me want to run through a meadow- or at least buy a pretty springtime dress.

color inspiration: pumpkin, nutmeg, and sage

1,2,3

Not exactly sure why I'm so drawn to spice colors today-maybe it's simply because it's November and I'm in the mood for fall baking- but I really love the warmth these colors exude. Of course now I really want apple pie...

color inspiration: apricot, peach, and lemon

dress via here, streamers via our labor of love, flowers unknown

I normally don't use clothing in my boards, but wow, what an amazing dress.

color inspiration: dreamsicle

orange slices from c.zwerg, streamers via our labor of love, sodas via oh happy day

J and I decided to try out New Orleans SnoBall this weekend since we'd heard such great things about them. Side note, they completely live up to the hype. They were wonderful.While I played it safe with a nectar, peach, and strawberry concoction, J opted for the dreamsicle and it's been on my mind ever since. Bright, refreshing and rich- it tasted exactly like the frozen treat. Taking a cue from it's bright orange color and sweet creamy taste, I thought I'd create a board that featured the same characteristics. Although I tend to lean towards more muted colors, I love how refreshing and vibrant citrus colors are and how easily they all work together.

Antique Coral, Cream and Turquoise

flowers via saipua, shoes photo by Lisa Lefkowitz, bike photo via gypsie (on my mind), vintage book photo by Cassia Beck via seesaw

I have a soft spot for old books. The yellowing pages, the softened colors, the smells- it's all very comforting to me. So when I saw this photo by Cassia Beck on seesaw, I knew I wanted to create a board based around it. The colors remind me of a lazy sunny day- maybe one accompanied with a picnic in the park or a nap in the sunshine after reading a good book in a hammock.

color inspiration: navy, tangerine, and white

top photo via visuelle mints via an apple a day, ford via my funny eye

I love the color combination of navy and tangerine (well, off of the football field at least.) It not only manages to find the perfect balance between retro and modern, but preppy and hipster as well. Can't you imagine an 80's (who am I kidding, I think I saw this outfit last summer) frat boy wearing a navy and white sweater with crisp (possibly too short) orange shorts just as easily as you can a hippie dancing around in a flowing navy sun dress with bright orange flowers in her hair? What about a super modern all white loft with touches of navy and orange or a home from the 60's with orange shag carpeting and navy rimmed china on the table?

See? This combo can go either way. Just depends on the person and the connection the feel to the colors.

from the studio (martine and erik's ketubah)

the Hebrew translated into "Love each other, share life, and laugh together." Great words to live by!

both copyright courtney khail stationery and design

(This was supposed to post yesterday, but I forgot to hit schedule. Sorry!)

Martine emailed me a few weeks back wondering if I could create a ketubah (Jewish wedding certificate) for their upcoming wedding this June. The awesome part? Well besides being part of such a beautiful and meaningful tradition of course, was the fact that their wedding was going to be in an orange grove...in Spain.

A.mazing.

So of course I knew oranges would be a major part of the piece, but Martine and Erik also wanted to incorporate some of the stone work found around the villa so it would also show that they were married in Spain (and not, let's say, an orange grove in Florida.) In addition to the artwork, I also hand penned the Hebrew sentence above their English vows to bring even more of a one of a kind and hand created feeling. I'd never written Hebrew before and really wasn't expecting to be moved by it as much as I was, but with each mark I couldn't help feeling emotionally and powerfully connected to the historic language. Not to mention, I have always been a fan of the Jewish wedding ceremony and vows and it was such a treat to be a part of theirs!

In the end, in order to get it to them in time, I hand delivered this to Martine two days before they boarded the plane. (It wasn't until I was about to mail it that I realized we lived about 10 minutes from each other. Small world!) And since most of my clients are international or across the country, I rarely have the opportunity to meet them face to face, so it was a nice change to actually get to see her in person. As expected, Martine was super sweet and fantastic. (It was so nice meeting you!)

Their wedding was just last week, so I want to wish them congratulations! I hope the wedding was amazing and that y'all had a great time on your honeymoon. Again, thank you so much for letting me be included in such a meaningful way. I can't wait to see photos!

Whimsical Decor

via you are my fave

I love these bright paper decorations! They would be such a fun addition to a party.

Winter Decor

via sunday suppers

Sorry for missing yesterday. I've been sick the past few days and couldn't get myself up to do much of anything besides refilling my glass full of V8 splash (so good) and grabbing more tissues. My mom sent me home from Thanksgiving with a lot of those little purse packs of tissues (you know, they have like 10 in them?) and they are all now gone. Ironically, they had cartoon Rudolphs on them, and given that my nose very quickly looked just as red I couldn't help but laugh at the coincidence. Side note, the real "only can get from behind the counter" Sudafed REALLY works.

Anyhow, it's been raining a lot so I haven't been able to take pictures to share what I've done to our home, but I did catch a glimpse of this beautiful set up by sunday suppers and had to share. isn't it so simple and pretty?

I love citrus in the winter. Maybe it's just my love of clementines (I fell in love with them my freshman year of college when my across the hall roommate in the dorms would buy them buy the crates!) but there is something really refreshing about the pop of color against a season full of snow whites, muted silvers and golds, creams, and evergreen.

oh I love winter! Now if only it would snow...

Have a wonderful day everyone!