Keg Design

Destination Welcome Bags

2012-01-29T14:07:00.007-06:00

Jordan and Ryan put together welcome bags for each of their guests traveling to the Dominican Republic. Each bag included a letter from the couple thanking guests for coming and included details for nightly events. Other items included custom lip balm, aspirin, sunblock, antacids, candy, snacks and Dominican Republic postcards for guests to send back to friends at home. Super cute!

Destination Wedding Invitation: Jordan & Ryan

2012-01-24T12:00:00.005-06:00

I absolutely love how Jordan and Ryan's destination wedding invitations turned out! The full suite embodied the couple's vision of a sophisticated beach celebration. For the design, I started with the postage stamp element I created for Jordan's bridal shower invitations. This design element created a sense of consistency across communications and was the perfect vehicle to house their names, wedding date and location on all wedding pieces. The 5x7 invitation card featured an illustration of the Dominican Republic island. A star marked their wedding location in Punta Cana. The 2-sided RSVP postcard was probably my favorite piece. The front showcased an overhead photograph of their resort - Paradisus Punta Cana - which I treated with a painterly effect for a more graphic look. The back of the postcard housed the couple's return address as well as a reply section for guests. The shimmery silver envelopes tied all of the components together and featured the postage stamp design too.

Engagement Session: Jordan & Ryan

2012-01-23T17:29:00.002-06:00

Last year, I started blogging about my friend Jordan's wedding (remember these pretty bridal invitations?). Since I keep finding myself dreaming about tropical destinations, I thought I'd start sharing the rest of their details with you. It's never too late, right? Jordan and Ryan had a beautiful destination wedding in Punta Cana, Domincan Republic last May. Prior to the wedding, they had engagement photographs taken by Jessica of Jessica Stacy Photography in Chicago...

Best and Worst Trends of 2011

2012-01-18T10:20:00.014-06:00

I always love reading about the forecasted trends for the new year. Even more so, I love reading about the best and worst trends of the past year. People magazine just released a summary of 2011's hot trends. For the most part, I think 2011 was a good year for style. I always like to dabble in some new trends each year, even if they're a little silly or on the younger side. How about you? Did you drink coconut water in 2011? Get addicted to Buckyballs, Zumba or Words With Friends? How about those 70's hippy looks or Native American knits? Here are a few of my favorite trends of 2011:

1. Feather Hair Clips

Yup, I tried this one out. Back in August, I had my hairdresser put in a small, neutral colored feather behind my right ear. It was hardly noticeable. It was "permanently" affixed (like a hair extension) and lasted about a month. It was fun. I felt young and "cool." But I think I got that one out of my system!

2. Colored Denim

I love this trend. And I think it really began in 2010. Either way, I actually don't own a pair of my own. I'm a little surprised about this. I think it has something to do with my hatred for jeans shopping. They never fit right - too big, too short etc. I'd love to snag a pair of green or blue skinnies this year.

3. Animal Prints

I've been rocking animal prints for quite sometime. I love that they've become so popular. To date, I own an animal print jacket, shirt, pair of pants, multiple pairs of shoes and a drawer full of jewelry. It's one of those trends, that when styled, can look professional, classic or risque. I love it!

4. Cake Pops

I absolutely love the way these look. But I'm not a huge fan of how they taste. In general, I don't love cake, so I haven't met a cake pop that I really like. I think the consistency of the cake ball is a bit strange (wet & mushy). On the other hand, I love the chocolate covered oreo pops people are making! Check out my Bakerella post (the real master behind Cake Pops) from 2009.

5. Nail Stickers

I definitely fell prey to these pricey stickers in 2011. Not only are the designs just fun (especially for summer), but they're so easy and convenient to apply. The fact that I don't have to wait for them to dry makes the nearly $10 price tag worthwhile for me. I'm a fan of Sally Hansen designs.

6. Cheap 'n Chic Collections

2011 marked the year for Missoni at Target and Versace at H&M. Both collaborations sold out in record time. Fights literally broke out at Target stores, while the collection completely crashed their website. I didn't partake in either launch and don't own any items from either. I think the stuff was cool, but I refuse to wait in line or fight crowds. It's just not worth it to me.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Four Seasons

2012-01-09T18:17:00.009-06:00

As we continue to celebrate a record breaking winter in Chicago (high in the 50s this week), I wanted to share with you a little project I've been working on for the past year. When we bought our Wisconsin lake house in 2010, I set out on a mission to capture the following golf course shot during all four seasons. I went to great lengths to capture the same angle and view for each so they'd look consistent side-by-side. I love how they turned out! My favorite capture is autumn with all the beautiful colors. I kept the budget reasonable by ordering large format prints from Shutterfly, and buying the frames and custom matte boards at Hobby Lobby. My Mom and I hung the series on one of the focal walls in our living room - I love the personalized touch they add to our family get-away home.

Hello, 2012!

2012-01-01T14:47:00.003-06:00

Wrapping Up 2011

2011-12-31T12:17:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year's Eve, folks! Another year is almost behind us. I feel like 2011 was a good, but long year. It kinda dragged out near the end. For us, 2011 marked Luke passing the bar exam, getting a new puppy and spending our summer up at the lake. The later part included a horribly scary diagnosis for a loved one - which has been very hard to deal with. I hope 2012 brings new joys, healthy progressions and lots of luck. Here's how I "wrapped" up the 2011 holiday season...

Holiday Details

2011-12-28T17:49:00.006-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T12:34:00.008-06:00

Merry Christmas Eve! I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. I wanted to share our holiday cards with you. I sent out three different designs this year. All of them featured our cute and cuddly puppy, Abbey. The first primary design is courtesy of Shutterfly (free stuff is always cool). The "Believe" design is one of my own and is available for sale on Minted.com. The last one is super funny and interactive. I found a perfect "naughty" photo of Abbey to place inside and the final greeting reads "Happy Holidays, anyway" - since of course all of the scratch off coins are heads!

Christmas Mantel

2011-12-16T17:25:00.004-06:00

I had a lot of fun decorating the mantel this year. I started out on Pinterest, gathering inspiration for holiday decor. A few of my favorites included this silver beauty and rustic topiary design. I wanted a Pottery Barn meets vintage look. Something a little eclectic to fit the aesthetic of our condo. I've always preferred traditional colors for Christmas (red and green), but like how the silver trees and white stockings modernize the look. Hobby Lobby was my greatest ally! I scored the stocking holders and stockings there, as well as the beautiful (artificial) garland. The topiary trees, wreath and ornaments were already part of my collection.

Deck The Halls

2011-12-15T16:55:00.005-06:00

Happy December! Not sure how the last month and a half got away from me, but it did. Its been busy. We've already hosted a couple of holiday parties, so the house is fully decorated. The halls are literally "decked" out. More photos to come soon.

AEppelTreow Winery

2011-10-24T12:00:00.000-05:00

A few weeks back I was searching for wineries in Wisconsin (why do most of them seem to be in Michigan?) and stumbled across AEppelTreow Winery in Burlington, Wisconsin. They're located on the same property as Brightonwoods Orchard and call themselves an artisan cidery & distillery. Upon further research, I found that AEppelTreow uses local apple crops to make hard ciders, orchard table wines, sparkling champagnes, fruit dessert wines and unique spirits. We were in! We went on a Saturday and between Luke and I, got to try 10 different products (sample policy = 5 per person for free, $5 beyond that). They offered generous pours and the staff was super friendly. We ended up taking home a 4-pack of Bunting Berry-Apple Cider as well as a bottle of Pommeaux Apple Dessert Wine. Both did not disappoint! I think I went through the bottle of Pommeaux in less than a week (oops) - I want to go back for more! I would highly recommend AEppelTreow to anyone in the Chicago/Milwaukee area looking for an aunthentic winery experience. For more info and photos, check out their Facebook page.

Brightonwoods Orchard

2011-10-23T17:45:00.000-05:00

We enjoyed some festive fall apple "picking" a few weekends ago at Brightonwoods Orchard in Burlington, Wisconsin. It's a beautiful 15 acre property in southeastern Wisconsin that's just over an hour from Chicago. They don't actually offer "pick your own", but the abundance of different apple varieties surely makes up for it. Brightonwoods grows over 200 kinds of apples... many old-fashioned and European varieties you can't find anywhere else. My favorite was the Calville Blanc d'Hiver - a French apple from the 1500's - it was sweet and tangy with an almost banana-like taste. Yum! The other reason we headed to Brightonwoods was for the on-site winery. More on that next...

Head over Heels Challenge

2011-10-18T11:30:00.006-05:00

Another fabulous Minted.com challenge has gone live and I need your help! The "Head over Heels" challenge is all about wedding invitations - one of my favorite things to design - so I entered a total of 6 invitations. I'd love your thoughts and your VOTES - it only takes a minute (I promise). Thank you!

Parisian Balcony in Spring - Vote Here

Acorns in Fall - Vote Here

Simple Landscape - Vote Here

Beautiful Buttons - Vote Here

Grecian Goddess of Vines - Vote Here

Old County Courthouse - Vote Here

Love for Leaves

2011-10-17T12:18:00.011-05:00

We headed up to Wisconsin this past weekend to enjoy the beautiful fall weather... and Abbey had a blast. She loved the leaves! She was running, rolling and diving in them whenever she could. I was able to capture a few of her escapades below. She's too funny and way too cute. We're also pretty sure she thinks she's a human (check her out on the golf cart). Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Wisconsin Fall Colors

2011-10-13T22:54:00.000-05:00

The Art of Blogging

2011-10-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

(more on the delicious libation soon)

Wicked

2011-10-11T07:58:00.000-05:00

Have you seen these ads by Essie... the nail polish brand? I don't get it. The following ad makes me hungry for a sundae, but then I nearly gag thinking about drizzling nail polish over my ice cream. Ultimately, it doesn't make me want to paint my toes or indulge in something sweet. Maybe the whole point is to disturb and disrupt? I just wish they'd rethink their campaign all together. Just one of those random things that's been bugging me... so I had to vent. What do you think?

Wedding Invitation: Caroline & Tanner

2011-10-10T21:39:00.002-05:00

Caroline and Tanner continued the "rustic elegance" theme with their wedding invitation. The couple wanted to create more of a traditional feeling for their suite, so they decided to go with a 1-color design on ivory stock. The monogram looked beautiful in a rich chocolate brown ink and the "rustic" motif was continued through with a few smaller leaf elements on the rsvp and reception cards. The full suite was printed digitally and included a total of 6 elements: 5x7 invitation, 4bar reception card, 4bar rsvp card, 4bar rsvp envelope, A7 inner envelope and A7.5 outer envelope.

Rustic + Elegant Thank Yous

2011-10-07T10:41:00.003-05:00

Remember when I shared Caroline and Tanner's wedding logo and save the date designs with you? Well, the fun didn't stop there! I created custom thank you cards for the couple utilizing their rustic elegance theme. Each A6 card was printed 1-sided in full color and accompanied by a white envelope. Due to the large number of cards ordered (450) it was most economical to go with a basic envelope vs. a colored option. The front of the card had an off-white hue to create depth. I love how they turned out!

Feel Right

2011-10-05T11:01:00.004-05:00

I was recently reading the October issue of Glamour and discovered a little blurb about the new book Christian Louboutin is releasing. It got me to wondering... will I ever own a pair of Christian Louboutin heels? Answer: Probably not. Question: Would I rather have 10 pairs of pretty awesome shoes for the same price it would cost to own one pair of red soled beauties? Answer: Absolutely yes. I live for excess, it's one of my weaknesses. Either way, I was surprisingly inspired by Mr. Louboutin's answer in the article to how he thought his book turned out. "Nothing needs to be perfect to be good, and no one should need to feel perfect to feel right." Well spoken Christian, I agree!

Believe

2011-10-04T17:24:00.001-05:00

I'm excited to announce that one of my holiday designs was chosen as a jury winner on Minted.com. The design, titled "Believe", was one of my favorite submissions and is available for purchase now. Minted is allowing you to choose from three unique color palettes (1. Vanilla Créme 2. Maroon 3. Soft Green) when customizing the card design. My original entry inspired the Vanilla Créme palette and ideally utilized a sepia toned photo for a warmer effect. One of my favorite things about the design is the simplicity of the message - "Believe." I love how one word can remind you to take a step back from the craziness of the holidays and try to enjoy what the season is really all about (family, friends, love, cheer and Santa!). I think it works best with a photo of a cuddly pet, newborn or bright-eyed child. I plan on ordering a set with Abbey's photo and taking advantage of Minted's add-on program. I designed a custom card backer and envelope liner to help personalize the greeting set. If you're interested in ordering your own, use discount code KEG2011 to receive 10% OFF your order!

Original Submission

Vanilla Créme

Envelope Liners and Card Backers

Soft Green

The Trek Back

2011-10-02T20:40:00.011-05:00

Hello readers, are you still out there? It's been awhile (umm, 2 months) since my last post. I've been meaning to get back to blogging, just haven't been able to make it work. I can't believe it's already October. Fall is upon us, blahhh - I already miss the warm weather and long days. At least it's not too cold in Chicago (yet). Luke and I had a fabulous summer. Lots of time with friends and family. Many trips up to the Wisconsin lake house. Abbey, our puppy, is growing up so fast. She turned 1 last week and is still as energetic as ever. She graduated from Basic Obedience class at Call of the Wild School for Dogs last month (I would highly recommend it to any dog owners out there). In other news, we bought a new car. The 1999 Mercury Cougar I had since high school needed to retire (well, actually my brother is driving it now). Our new Nissan Murano is wonderful. When we first adopted Abbey she absolutely hated the car... not anymore! Her luxuriously private back seat has turned her into a car lover. As evident from the photo, I think she likes having her own window best of all. Our treks back from the lake house will sadly become less frequent as winter arrives. On the contrary, I hope for my blog posts to become increasingly more frequent as I find myself with some extra time.

City vs. Lake

2011-08-04T11:30:00.004-05:00

Life is Good

2011-08-03T21:12:00.008-05:00

July was a whirlwind of fun. I enjoyed every single second of it. My plan is to do the same with August. Nothing beats summertime! A few July highlights pictured below:

Oh Baby

2011-06-29T15:56:00.010-05:00

I entered a few designs into Minted's Summer is Born Birth Announcement Challenge. Over 1000 submissions were received, so the competition is pretty tough. I thought I'd share my creations with you. Feel free to help my chances by voting on versions 1, 2, 3 or 4! Feedback appreciated!

2 years!

2011-06-22T17:15:00.010-05:00

Luke and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary this past Monday. Well, we haven't actually celebrated just yet since he's been out of town for work... but I did receive this beautiful arrangement of flowers! I can't believe it's already been 2 whole years. Seems just like yesterday. I'd do it over again in a heartbeat - I loved the whole wedding-planning thing (and marrying the man of my dreams)!

Wedding Programs

2011-06-15T10:41:00.008-05:00

I've been hard at work trying to compile all of my work into categories to display on Facebook and the blog. First up - wedding programs! Go here to see the full album and become a Keg Design Fan on Facebook. In terms of pricing, options include the following: 1) Design Only - starting at $115 (where I supply you with a high resolution file to print yourself) and 2) Design & Printing starting at $215 (you fold and adhere ribbon etc. yourself) and 3) Design, Printing & Assembly starting at $315 (we do it all and send to you ready to go). Prices vary depending on materials and quantities used. Please email kelly@kegdesign.com with questions and inquiries.

Beachy Bridal Shower Invitation

2011-06-14T11:09:00.007-05:00

I'm so excited to share Jordan's "beachy" bridal shower invitation with you today. I designed these earlier in the year and had so much fun creating them. The cards were printed digitally on 14pt card stock with rounded corners. Each 5x7 inch card was finished off with a Keg Design logo on the back and accompanied by a silver A7 envelope. I added a little "sparkle" to the cards by using a transparent craft glue to affix glitter to the white coral motif in the upper right corner. I did all the calligraphy on the envelopes too. Jordan's wedding was last month in the Dominican Republic - hence the "beachy" theme. We used the postmark-destination logo throughout all of her wedding paper designs. Her wedding was beautiful - I can't wait to share more photos & details with you soon.

Wedding Giveaway!

2011-06-07T11:38:00.013-05:00

I am so excited to announce that Keg Design is part of Steve Koo's website launch wedding giveaway. More than $1500 of wedding products and services will be given to one lucky winner... including 100 custom designed thank-you cards from me! Here's the full list of swag:

Engagement session or a couples connection session with Chicago wedding photographer Steve Koo, along with a DVD of usable, edited high-res images and personal reprint rights

A 1-on-1, 2-hour makeup bag makeover session with Chicago’s premier makeup artist, Sonia Roselli

20% off credit for any Sonia Roselli products purchased on the day of the 1-on-1 session

2 hour planning consultation with wedding planner Charlene Liang of Sweetchic Events. At this consultation valued at $300, discuss color schemes, decor, vendor recommendations, etiquette, logistics and all things wedding-related.

$150 gift card for jewelry designed by the fabulous Erin Gallagher

100 custom designed thank-you cards from Kelly at Keg Design

Something for the guy: Two $50 gift certificates towards services at Halo for Men: Chicago’s Premier Salon for Men and a Halo for Men t-shirt

Anyone can enter and it's super easy to do so. You get up to three chances:

1) Check out Steve Koo's blog and comment on this giveaway post.

2) Follow @stevekoo1 on twitter and tweet this exact phrase including the link at the end:

I just entered the Steve Koo Photography Giveaway to win $1500 of products & services! http://bit.ly/mnXVEs

3) "Like" Steve Koo Photography on Facebook here and post this exact comment on your wall and/or his: I just entered the Steve Koo Photography Giveaway to win $1500 of products & services! http://stevekoophotography.com/everthing-else/website-launch-giveaway

Good luck and be sure to spread the word to all of your (engaged) friends!

May In Review

2011-06-03T15:07:00.011-05:00

Spring flowers. Lily of the valley. New jewelry. New clothes. Puppy growth. Chew toys. Mother's Day. More flowers. Sunlight. Fresh veggies. Creative finger foods. Backyard barbecues. Rain. Mother & Daughter. Spring Fashion Show. Destination Wedding. Dominican Republic. Sand beneath the toes. Good friends. Sunburn. Memorial Day. Summer on the lake...

Minted + Chronicle Books

2011-05-31T17:29:00.008-05:00

Minted is hosting another challenge and this time around they are partnering with book publisher Chronicle Books. They asked for fresh, modern stationary designs in a color palette of orange, yellow, lime, aqua and taupe. The winning designs of four designers will be featured in a notecard collection published by Chronicle Books and will be sold in stores around the world, as well as on Minted.com. How cool is that? Here are some of my submitted designs...wish me luck!

Win FREE Wedding Coordination!

2011-05-23T17:40:00.007-05:00

Calling all Chicago area brides... a new event coordination service is in town and they are giving away 30 days of FREE wedding coordination to one lucky lady! Praveen, one of the women behind the{little}details, contacted me last week about this amazing giveaway and her awesome wedding blog called rivernorthLove. Check them out and go here for all the details on the contest. Good luck!

30 Days of Free Wedding Coordination Includes:
* Unlimited phone and email correspondence and two in-person meetings
* Rehearsal dinner coordination
* Day of services (8-10 hours)
* Bridal party wish/task list
* Detailed wedding timeline (Ceremony- processional and recessional, Cocktail hour, and Reception)
* Vendor contract review, checklist, confirmation, and payment
* Budget updates
* Wedding checklist, tailored around your wedding day specifics
* Delivery of non-vendor items to ceremony or reception venues
* Bridal emergency kit on site
* All the little details. Which includes and is not limited to: wardrobe assistance, wedding party assistance, breakfast delivery, vendor and bridal party liaison, assistance with program/place cards/favor set up, assistance with selection of favors, assistance with selection of attendant and or parent gifts, dessert table set up, and any other specific needs you may have (i.e. the safekeeping of your grandmother's heirloom cake knife)

Curiosity

2011-05-18T10:17:00.005-05:00

Wedding Program Challenge

2011-05-15T18:28:00.012-05:00

Happy Sunday! Hope everyone is having a great weekend. It's been absolutely dreary in Chicago... clouds, rain and cold temps. Blah! The good thing was that it motivated me to complete my submission for Minted's Blogger Program Challenge. I signed up online and received an entry packet in the mail a few weeks ago. Here's the lowdown: Minted is looking for new and creative ways to bind their program cover (which they sell here) to the internal program pages (that brides print themselves). Staying true to the modern aesthetic at Minted, I wanted to offer up something that was unique & fresh. We've all seen programs folded and binded with ribbon, so I decided to use metal eyelets instead!

To cover the top portion of the program I dug up some paper scraps I had laying around. The great thing about this DIY project is that you don't need a ton of materials or money. Approximately 100 metal eyelets cost about $3 on Etsy - this is a steal compared to the price of ribbon! Eyelets come in all shapes, sizes and colors. For the paper, many craft shops will sell the long paper strips that they cut for other items at a discounted price or even give to you for free. Other than that, I just needed a glue stick, X-acto knife and small hammer. Cut the paper to fit the top portion of the program. To create the lower bend in the front cover, use the X-acto knife to cut a straight score line. Glue the paper to the top of the cover then measure & mark the center for the eyelet. Place the eyelet over the center, hammer it down and WA-LAH! You've got a great looking wedding program uniquely adhered together!

I also created a second and third program option that utilized similar metal trinkets. For the yellow and gray design, I wanted to keep it very modern and simple. I placed two gold eyelets in the center top of the program and created another score line for folding. The third photographic option was pretty as is, so I just adhered all of the pages together with two white snowflake brads. These helped bring a winter wedding theme to life and since the snowflakes were white, they didn't compete with the rest of the design. Another great aspect of the eyelets is that thread or ribbon can be looped through them for functional purposes. If you're a bride who likes to be different, you could display and hang your programs at the church on metal sconces or tree branches to WOW your guests!

My Wedding Paper Designs

2011-05-11T14:58:00.005-05:00

Reception Details

2011-05-04T17:14:00.009-05:00

ABC's

2011-05-03T09:46:00.008-05:00

I'm taking a cue from two of my favorite bloggers, Terese and Mel, and going the lazy route this morning. I've gone ahead and filled out the Blogger ABC's below. I've also set a goal for myself this week - to finish posting the last of my wedding recaps. I'll leave you with this cute pic of my brother and I at my wedding...he's my answer to letter S!

A. Age: 29

B. Bed size: Queen

C. Chore you hate: Folding laundry

D. Dogs: Abbey, the cutest black lab puppy ever!

E. Essential start to your day: Breakfast

F. Favorite color: Green

G. Gold or silver: Yellow Gold

H. Height: 5'9" flats; 6'+ with heels!

I. Instruments: Tone deaf (seriously)

J. Job title: Associate Creative Director

K. Kids: Nope (but a puppy is kinda like one)

L. Live: Vintage Condo in Chicago

M. Mom’s name: Mariellen

N. Nicknames: KelG, KEG

O. Overnight hospital stays: Nope

P. Pet peeve: Smoking. Whistling. Loud Breathing.

Q. Quote from a movie: "Luke, I am your father." (My husband gets that one a lot)

R. Right or left handed: Right

S. Siblings: 1 younger brother, by 9 years!

T. Time you wake up: 7am'ish

U. Underwear: Yep

V. Vegetables you dislike: I eat them all!

W. What makes you run late: According to my husband, I "dilly-dally" around the house.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Do teeth count?

Y. Yummy food you make: Turkey Tacos

Z. Zoo- favorite animal: Monkeys

Beachy Bedroom Pics

2011-04-27T19:46:00.006-05:00

Bedroom Transformation

2011-04-27T11:08:00.013-05:00

I'm so excited to share my bedroom makeover with you. As you can see, I started with a very plain space that had little personality. I think the end result is playful, inviting and fun. I love it! I'm calling it my "beach cottage" in the woods. I think I accomplished the cape cod "look" I was going for by utilizing a soft color palette, classic shapes and a traditional design aesthetic. What do you think?

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

One of my favorite things about the transformation was the budget. Since I wasn't decorating the Taj Mahal, I did most of my shopping at T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Walmart and Burlington Coat Factory. I kept it under $500! Here's a quick price break down and a few more photos:

1. Gallon of Light Blue Paint $13.00 at Walmart

2. Painting Supplies $40.00 at Walmart

3. Waverly Bedding Collection $79.00 at Burlington

4. Waverly Curtain Panels $20.00 at Burlington

5. Paisley Quilt $49.00 at T.J. Maxx

6. Mirror $29.00 at HomeGoods

7. Wooden Side Tables $79.00 each at HomeGoods

8. Matching Lamps $34.00 each at HomeGoods

9. White Spray Paint (6 cans) $5 each at Walmart

10. Wooden Head Board - FREE!

TOTAL COST = $486

BEFORE

AFTER

Beach Cottage Inspiration

2011-04-26T10:39:00.003-05:00

Last year we bought a summer house in Wisconsin. It's more of a "house in the woods" rather than a beach front property. Regardless, we love it! It sits on a golf course and is a 5 minute walk from the lake. I'm so excited to spend the summer up there. I'm also really excited to decorate it. Like I said, it's more woodsy than cottage-like. That hasn't stopped me, however, from dreaming of the beautiful cape cod inspired rooms below. I'm thrilled to share that my Aunt and I went up a few weekends ago and totally transformed one of the bedrooms. I'll be sharing the before and after photos tomorrow...

(Images)

Vote for me!

2011-04-22T16:38:00.009-05:00

I entered a few designs into Minted's International Celebration Challenge. All of my card designs fit under the Diwali category. Diwali is an important five-day festival in Hinduism occurring October - November. It's also known as the "festival of lights." Minted's rating scale is 1-5, 5 being the best. If you have the time, I would really appreciate your vote! Thanks! Links below...

Voting links (clockwise): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Garfield Conservatory Wedding Logo

2011-04-11T12:26:00.008-05:00

Claudette commissioned me to design her wedding logo a few months ago. She is getting married at the Chicago Garfield Park Conservatory in September. Here are the three logo options I came up with. I had a lot of fun being inspired by the beautiful images of the conservatory, inside and out. Her bright wedding colors were great to work with too! Which one is your favorite?

Dancing

2011-04-07T14:31:00.006-05:00

Sweets

2011-04-06T11:57:00.005-05:00

Weekend Recap

2011-03-29T12:13:00.007-05:00

I haven't done a "weekend recap" in ages. I think that's because I spent most of January and February holed up in my house, hibernating like a bear. Seriously, I was such a loser - I didn't go out at all. This past weekend was productive and fun. I got some much needed puppy time. Abbey is so great, I just love her. In honor of opening day coming up, she got a new collar - Go Cubbies! I also got to break out my new "Limited Edition 80's Glam" Sharpie set. I now have 24 colors to doodle with - yippee! There was also some yummy apple cinnamon oatmeal to gobble up and dinner with friends on Saturday. Lastly, I got around to 'blingin' out my nails with Sally Hansen's Salon Effects nail polish strips. I think I'm obsessed. You should head over to your local CVS, Ulta or beauty store and pick up a pack - they're easy to apply and they seem to last much longer than regular polish.

Talking Points

2011-03-25T14:14:00.006-05:00

Upon being seated at the reception, Luke's Great Aunt Sister Rita read a beautiful wedding blessing. She was followed by Megan, my Matron of Honor, who touched on some great memories of our friendship during college. Next up was Pat, Luke's Best Man, another fiery red head (I guess Luke and I are partial to red headed friends? Ha!). His speech was lighthearted and very funny... they've been friends since the first grade. We also presented our Mom's with roses during the reception. We originally planned on doing this during the ceremony, but as you know (or will find out), things don't always go as planned on your wedding day. Finally, my Dad gave his speech and it was the most emotional part of the day for me. I didn't choke up on the alter or at any other time until his speech. His words were so loving and heartfelt. I regret not having a videographer at the reception (to capture this), but I've tried to convince myself that these kind words and memories are better kept in the heart rather than on some videotape.

Tropical Destination Wedding Invites

2011-03-23T20:40:00.003-05:00

Save The Date: Caroline & Tanner

2011-03-17T13:51:00.014-05:00

I finally got a chance to take photos of Caroline and Tanner's beautiful Save The Date card... I love how it turned out! Using their wedding logo as a starting point, I wanted the overall design to feel classic and rustic. Incorporating the engagement photo was super easy, as it worked perfectly with the couple's color palette. Each 5x7 card was paired with a coordinating green shimmer envelope.

Final Wedding Logo: Caroline & Tanner

2011-03-14T13:50:00.013-05:00

Last week I shared some of Caroline & Tanner's first round of wedding designs... here's the final wedding logo they chose. It's a monogram of their first names and future surname (obviously starting with "I"). The logo is a representation of rustic elegance - a theme the couple is going for since they're getting married in the mountains of Northern Georgia. This logo will be used on all pieces of their wedding collateral and paper items. I love how versatile it is - it can be used on a variety of different backgrounds, and with numerous colors. Next up, their Save The Date...

Wedding Logo 1: Caroline & Tanner

2011-03-10T14:42:00.007-06:00

I've been meaning to blog more about my work... I've been keeping busy lately, designing wedding logos, invitations and more. Caroline and Tanner approached me in early January about designing their full wedding paper suite. They will be getting married this August in Northern Georgia at the beautiful Brasstown Vally Resort & Spa. I was so excited to hear about their wedding plans and I can't wait to see how everything comes together! This first logo design was inspired by the beautiful "city & state" vintage postcards that are part of our American history. I wanted the logo to capitalize on the beautiful location and excite guests about the destination event. Using Photoshop, I made the photograph look like it was painted and incorporated the couple's chocolate brown/red/orange/green color palette. The Save The Date designs evoke the feeling of an old-world postcard while still having a modern touch. These designs almost made the cut, but ultimately the couple went with another look (which I love). Details coming soon!

Introductions

2011-03-08T18:04:00.008-06:00

Lovely Laces

2011-03-07T17:51:00.009-06:00

I think I might have a problem. Seriously. I can't stop myself from buying shoes, specifically the new lace-up styles out for spring. I acquired the four pairs below at DSW last weekend. I might bring one of them back, but I'm pretty sure I can justify each pair. Flats by day. Wedges by night. Neutral colors. Leather and suede. Casual and dressy. All are comfy. I'm not sure I could give one up. Maybe the flat black pair? My $50 in DSW Reward bucks definitely helped justify my purchases. If you aren't a member, you should sign-up. I can't wait for spring to arrive so I can wear them. I'm so sick of wearing boots to work everyday, ugh. What about you, are you loving or hating the laced-up look?

Steve Madden Shelbi Wedge $49.95

Guess "Wglynette" Wedge (not on DSW's website)

Mia Botticelli Suede Lace Up Wedge $49.95

Sam Edelman Boutique Gina Ghillie Wedge $69.95

This one is my favorite - so comfy and I LOVE the color!

Accessories

2011-03-05T16:40:00.006-06:00

Just Us

2011-03-04T11:29:00.004-06:00

Winter in Wisconsin

2011-03-02T10:11:00.003-06:00

Our New Addition

2011-02-28T16:13:00.004-06:00

We got a puppy this weekend! Her name is Abbey and she's a 6 month old black lab mix. We adopted her from a shelter, so there's no telling for sure what mix she is. They thought she might have a little Mastiff or American Bulldog in her? She's such a sweetheart. Absolutely adorable and very well behaved.... and almost even potty trained! She'll definitely give us a run for our money... but I love her energy and it's so good to be welcoming the month of March tomorrow. Spring is on its way!

A Second Life

2011-02-25T13:39:00.005-06:00

Happy Friday everyone! It's been a long work week, especially for having Monday off. Last week I forgot to mention that Luke sent me the most beautiful floral arrangement for Valentine's Day. It smelled amazing too! Long after the roses and other blooms died, the orchids still looked like new. I gave them a second chance at life by putting them in these cute glass vases. They're still going strong! Happy weekend!

Group Shots

2011-02-23T12:48:00.006-06:00

Gilligan's Island

2011-02-22T15:47:00.005-06:00

Thanks goes out to Lee over at LeeLeesCloset for including my "Nautical Save The Date" in her recent Etsy treasury collection. I thought the theme, Gilligan Would Like it Here, was super cute and creative. I was instantly drawn to the two pendant necklaces also included in the grouping. Check out these stores for some really cute jewelry items: Lauren Blythe Designs and Verbel + Fox.

Flowers

2011-02-18T14:16:00.012-06:00

I wanted our bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages to feel earthy and whimsical. The color palette was a mixture of green and white. I worked with Karen and Jorge at Aria Floral Studio in Westmont, IL to bring the vision to life. The end results, as you can see, were amazing! Because my favorite flower, the ranunculus, was not in season in June, we compromised by using a select number of white stems in my bouquet and Luke's boutonniere. Other flowers used included white peonies, green hydrangea, white freesia, green painted billy balls, green hanging amaranthus & green hyperium berries. In retrospect, I'm so happy that Karen talked me into using the freesia because now whenever I smell it I'm reminded of my wedding day. Sounds cheesy, I know, but what a happy association to have with a flower!

The Church (Part 2)

2011-02-17T11:43:00.004-06:00

The Church (Part 1)

2011-02-16T15:54:00.010-06:00

Anthropologie's Bridal Collection

2011-02-15T10:16:00.010-06:00

I'm jealous. First, Vera Wang comes out with a stylish (and affordable) wedding line at David's Bridal and now Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters has launched it's very own bridal collection online. Umm, hello, I already got married. Why didn't this happen two years ago? Anyways, the new bridal line is called BHLDN. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't get the meaning behind the name? (Update: I just realized it stands for "Beholden"). Regardless, the collection is amazing. Gown prices range from $1000-$4000. They also have an extensive assortment of bridesmaid dresses, shoes, jewelry and accessories. The look is definitely not for everyone, especially a traditional bride, but I love it. I would even consider purchasing some of the shoes or earrings for everyday wear if the prices weren't so high. I hope all of you brides-to-be take full advantage of these new collections. I know I would!

Pre Ceremony

2011-02-14T16:30:00.004-06:00

It's never too late...

2011-02-10T14:31:00.008-06:00

To share more wedding photos! Actually, I never even scratched the surface of recapping our wedding day on this blog. I realize it's been almost two years, and maybe no one really cares, but I'm gonna do it anyways. I FINALLY got around to getting all of our photos in order, so I'm ready to go. Let me tell you... it was not an easy task! Our photographer, Rob Barcroft, of RHB Photography was great. In the end, he provided us with an overwhelming number of photos (1200+) to choose from. So... I'll start with this black and white picture, one of my favorites of Luke and I.

I just love how truly happy we look...

Blizzard of 2011

2011-02-03T16:17:00.005-06:00

Save The Date: Alison & Mike

2011-01-28T16:28:00.006-06:00

In the running...

2011-01-26T13:45:00.004-06:00

Here's a small sampling of the Save The Date designs I created for Alison and Mike. All of these were in the running, but in the end didn't make the final cut. My favorite designs are the top two pieces (ideally used as front and back of the same card). I absolutely love the peacock feather and would love to work with someone who wants a gorgeous wedding suite utilizing this motif. Anyone? Contact me if you're interested.

Max Wanger Inspiration

2011-01-21T15:12:00.010-06:00

I thought I'd leave you guys with something pretty to look at on a Friday afternoon! Alison & Mike came to me late last year inquiring about doing a Save The Date design utilizing their engagement photos. Lucky for all of us, their photographer was the amazing Max Wanger. I got to choose from the following pics. Stay tuned next week to see the final design. It's beautiful! Oh, and...Go Bears this Sunday!

My New Purchases

2011-01-14T16:56:00.016-06:00

Jacket and Shoes.

Virginia Tech Save The Date

2011-01-10T16:42:00.010-06:00

Kristen and Will contacted me last year after finding the Chicago Cubs Save The Date I created. They wanted to know if I could do the same for them... except Virginia Tech style? Of course! The final ticket design is below. Kristen and Will are big Hokie's fans and will be getting married this spring in VA. Contact me via email if you're interested in a college or pro custom ticket design.

Da Bears

2011-01-06T10:31:00.005-06:00

Mel, over at Chicago Girl Gone Mild, contacted me late last year about designing a custom holiday card for her and her husband. She wanted something unique that portrayed the two of them, but didn't want to use an actual photograph. The solution? An illustration. Mel also wanted the card to embody the spirit of Chicago - hence the skyline and 1980's era Bears sweater. Who would have thought that a Chicago Bears 'themed' greeting card could look so sophisticated? HeHe! I have to admit, this project was a bit of a challenge for me. I'm not in the business of illustrating people on a daily basis, however, I think I pulled it off. It was definitely good practice for the next time someone asks me to render them on the computer. The final card design is below. I've also included the photo of Melissa and Sean that I used as inspiration. Whadda think? Also, check out what Mel had to say about the design on her blog. Go Bears!

Twenty Eleven

2011-01-05T19:40:00.014-06:00

Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. I had two & a half weeks off from work to enjoy them... it was awesome! Coming back to the office this week was NOT. Here's a quick photo recap of my holidays (in no particular order). Hopefully 2011 will bring peace, health & happiness to all!

Christmas Cards

2010-12-22T11:18:00.007-06:00

Santa and his reindeer wish you a very Merry Christmas! Here's our 2010 "Wilson" Family Christmas Card (FYI: Wilson isn't our last name, but I can't handle when the name is scratched out, so I like to change it out for a phony). What do you think? I'm just really happy that we decided to include Murphy in our card this year. I designed these over Thanksgiving and the printed cards arrived a day after Murphy passed away. He was such an important part of our family, and I'm glad he's represented on our cards. Overall, the design is kinda kitschy and fun. I wasn't trying to be too serious. I paired the cards with red, green and neutral envelopes from Paper Source. Hope everyone has a great holiday!

Check!

2010-12-15T15:09:00.006-06:00

Woohoo! I dropped our Christmas cards in the mail today. It feels good to check something off my "to do" list. I love how they turned out (I did something a little unusual)... I'll share all the details next week. The only bummer was the basic stamps I had to use. I stopped by the Post Office yesterday, intending to buy holiday stamps, but there was no way in hell I was waiting in that line. Walgreens had to do!

Love you, Murphy!

2010-12-13T11:42:00.008-06:00

This past weekend we lost Murphy, our black lab, to spinal cancer. It came on quickly, so luckily he didn't suffer for very long. He would have turned twelve in January. He was such an amazing part of our family and he will forever be in our hearts. I miss him so much. It's so lonely at home without him...

Last Christmas...I gave you my heart...

2010-12-09T16:23:00.010-06:00

I was cleaning out my "photos folder" this week and came across this image. I almost forgot that my Mom had this personalized photo necklace made for my Mother-In-Law last Christmas. It's a Swarovski crystal heart on a sterling silver chain. In my opinion, it's a wonderful "keepsake" rather than an "everyday" piece, but that's just me. I thought I'd share it as an example of a unique wedding "thank you" gift you could give to your mom, grandma or friend after the big day... or even a gift for the holidays! If you'd like more information on where to get one, just leave a comment. Cheers!

Greetings from the Windy City!

2010-12-08T13:02:00.008-06:00

Well, hello! My sincerest apologies for being MIA last month. I've been swamped with projects (which is a good thing), but I've found myself just trying to keep my head above water. I can't believe that Christmas is in nearly two weeks! I feel like September turned into December in the blink of an eye. Maybe that means that winter will fly by and we'll be back to warmer temps quickly? Although, those chances aren't so good. We had our first snowfall in Chicago this past weekend. I look forward to more snow for Christmas and New Years and then I'll be over it. Way over it.

Here's to trying to catch up on some of my recent design projects... Liz contacted me a couple of months ago about designing her dual Save The Date/Holiday Greeting card. She wanted to play up her Chicago wedding location and also incorporate a photo of her and her fiance, Hank. We ended up with a 4x6 double sided card. It's literally a representation of a "dual" design: the front is all about the holidays and the back contains wedding information. I love the color palette and textured background!

Buried

2010-11-16T19:39:00.008-06:00

Dear Blog,

I miss you.

I'm currently dealing with this:

(getty images)

I hope to resurface soon.

Thanks for listening,

Kelly

Etsy Love

2010-11-02T14:56:00.005-05:00

I was happily surprised when Betty over at Bombshell Bettie's Vintage included one of my Keg Design letterpress cards in her Etsy Treasury collection today. It's always nice to be loved! :)

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T17:29:00.002-05:00

Autumn Part II

2010-10-27T10:32:00.004-05:00

Gorgeous

2010-10-26T15:13:00.011-05:00

I spent the weekend in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It's absolutely beautiful up there! So many colors and so many leaves. The seasons are definitely one of the pluses of living in the Midwest. Even the first snowfall is fun, but come February I'm always cursing my Chicago roots!

Stamped Gold

2010-10-20T10:25:00.005-05:00

While I was out in LA for work, I met a very talented jewelry designer named Lizzie. She was actually the fashion stylist on set, and I was in love with all her baubles! I couldn't leave California without one, so I ordered a custom Stamped Gold Disc Necklace from her collection. I had it customized with "Kelly & Luke", and I was excited that Lizzie was able to finish it before my flight back to Chicago. I've been wearing my new necklace ever since! Check out more from Lizzie C Jewelry here and here.

Los Angeles

2010-10-18T13:58:00.009-05:00

Here's a quick photo recap of my recent work trip to LA. I was out there shooting an advertising campaign at Universal Studios Hollywood (the New York set). I stayed at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood. It was fabulous! My first day in LA also happened to be the hottest day in Los Angeles' recorded history... thermometers hit a whopping 113 degrees! It was hot!

A Perfect Sunday

2010-10-17T18:46:00.003-05:00

I don't do football. Instead, I had a perfect Sunday hanging out with Murphy. I made Eggs Benedict Caprese (for me, not him!) and it was amazing. No recipe, just winged it. Well, I had to look up how to poach an egg, but that was it. Oh, and the beautiful weather too. Can we skip Winter this year?

Fairy Tales Do Come True

2010-10-15T16:56:00.004-05:00

Greatest photo EVER. This particular dream of mine hasn't come true yet, but one day it will. I mean, it better. I keep telling my husband that a walk-in-closet, parking spot (aka garage) and central air are on my list. I've been living without them for years, but eventually I won't be able to go on. At what point do the perks of city living outweigh the negatives? I think I'd be willing to live in the suburbs for a closet like this...

(photo source unknown)

Eating Soup with a Fork

2010-10-14T15:37:00.005-05:00

As designers, we often go to bed at night hoping for some totally awesome assignment to come our way. So when Chris Rathje contacted me last year about designing the cover of his first book, Don't Be Afraid to Eat Soup with a Fork, I was thrilled. Chris and I went to high school together, and, as with most people these days, reconnected via Facebook. His book, composed of a collection of short stories, is very well written. It's about his journey to realize that any dream is possible, and touches on many inspirational moments. Below, are a few of the early cover explorations I designed for Chris. To see the final book design and learn more about the publication, go here.

Travel

2010-10-08T18:57:00.004-05:00

Sorry for the long absence. I've been traveling quite a bit lately. For work and for fun. I took this shot a few weeks ago as my plane was heading into Chicago O'hare. Pretty cool, right? Be back next week...

EcoKnowledge Nexus

2010-09-21T19:24:00.009-05:00

Logo development I did for a company that hosts and produces webinars for other companies. A webinar is an online seminar used for sharing knowledge and making connections with industry experts and peers. The color palette for this business logo is one of my favorites... lime and charcoal. The contrast between the two different fonts keeps the logo feeling balanced, while the circular mark has a futuristic edge. For more information on EcoKnowledge Nexus check out their website.

Summer Salad

2010-09-16T17:57:00.015-05:00

It's officially still Summer until the Autumnal Equinox takes place at 11:09pm EST on September 22nd. Unfortunately, the last few days in Chicago have felt more like Fall. And I'm not happy. Fall only means one thing...Winter. And who looks forward to shortened days, bitter cold and mounds of snow? Not me. Here's to hanging on to the last bits of sunshine & warm temps we have... a colorful summer salad I made a few weeks ago. Most of the ingredients came from my local farmer's market. It was a huge hit!

Pretty

2010-09-15T14:37:00.002-05:00

Weekend Recap

2010-09-13T17:52:00.008-05:00

Oh my gosh...today was crazy! At least I spent the weekend relaxing and having fun. Luke and I joined some friends on Saturday night at Medieval Times. Yup, that place where kids go for their 6-year-old birthday parties! Ha! It was pretty hilarious. And the myth is true - they really do make you eat with your hands. The best part was the beer and the half-price tickets.

Sunday was perfect weather in Chicago. Sunny and 80 degrees - it was beautiful! We headed over to Wicker Park for The Renegade Craft Fair. I was pumped to find a great watch. It's super cool. And super comfortable. And for only $60 I thought it was a steal (pictures below). I also picked up some earrings from the same booth - Nomadic Ant - be sure to check out their online store.

The Renegade - Today & Tomorrow!

2010-09-11T12:54:00.004-05:00

If you're in Chicago, definitely try to check out The Renegade Craft Fair today or tomorrow. It rocks!

Bubbly Exit

2010-09-09T11:22:00.006-05:00

As promised, here are some of Kim and Jeff's wedding photos. These are hot off the press from their photographer, Rob Barcroft. I've recently been obsessed with photo series, in sequential order. This one is so cool. I love the bubbles and the iconic charm of the church and black & white format. Not to mention the beautiful couple! Many congratulations to the lovebirds...

Photos by RHB Photography.

Mexico Bound

2010-09-08T18:22:00.007-05:00

Hooray! One of my dear friends recently got engaged and asked me to stand up in her wedding. She's clearly on the top of her game, as the invitation came cleverly disguised as a luggage tag. Jordan and Ryan are planning on tying the knot in Mexico next year. I'm so happy for them, and I'm so excited to be a part of their special day. I guess this marks #3 for me in terms of bridesmaid duties. I love standing up in weddings, I really do. Maybe it's because I haven't done it 27 times, or because I have the coolest friends ever. Either way, I wanted to share this super cute idea with you. She ordered the custom luggage tags from Shutterfly.

If you didn't already guess...that's Jordan and I at my bachelorette party. Love it!

This isn't the week...

2010-09-01T23:33:00.005-05:00

...that I catch up on my blogging. Darn it. It's been a crazy few days. Good, but crazy. I hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day Weekend. I'll see you back here next week! Toodles...

TGIF

2010-08-27T15:47:00.008-05:00

Seriously, could this week have gone any slower? I'm a little behind in my postings, but I promise to make up for it next week (or at least I'll try). Here's a sneak peek into Kim and Jeff's wedding...

Nashville, ya'll!

2010-08-24T12:00:00.006-05:00

The hubby and I visited Nashville, Tennessee back in July. It was our first time in the Music City and we really enjoyed ourselves. We stayed downtown and hit-up all of the famous southern restaurants and bars... including Lonnie's Western Room. Although I'm not a huge fan of country music, I loved the spirit and vibe of this small city. It's fun, upbeat and very friendly. Unfortunately the Grand Ole Opry was closed for construction purposes, so we didn't get to visit.

During our stay, we also visited Belle Meade Plantation. It's about a 20 minute drive from downtown Nashville. It's a beautiful place full of SO MUCH history. We walked around the grounds, visited the winery and took a tour of the mansion. I was really excited when I saw that they were setting up for a wedding later that evening. Of course I took some photos (see below). After further investigation, I learned that wedding ceremonies take place in the Boxwood Garden (on grounds) and reception parties are held in the Carriage House and Stables. For more information on event packages go here.

Are you in love yet? Wait until you see these professional photos I found of other weddings that took place at Belle Meade Plantation. Check out how the moss-topped barn from above is the backdrop in the ceremony photos below. And how awesome is the Carriage House? I'm pretty sure that a wedding in spring, summer or fall would be absolutely beautiful here. Images from Dove Wedding Photography and Gray Photography. What a great venue with tons of southern charm!