I love necklaces.

Long, colorful, dramatic, quirky, friend-made or antique.

It’s become a habit to buy some from most places I visit, and then a lot of wonderful friends figured that out about me and did the same on their trips too! (I’m pretty sure my  mom pays them to be this wonderful) I have necklaces from Zimbabwe, Botswana, New Zealand, South Africa, Dubai, Ireland, Scotland, Venice, Brazil, Tortola…and quite a few from Joe, thrift stores, or Forever21 : )

I love how a simple thing like jewelry can include so many dear memories, but the only problem was finding a holder big enough to display them. Most would be too short or too small, or never both practical or pretty. Then came Pinterest, and I decided to design one myself.

For the longest time I looked for old rakes to hang a few like this -

- but that was too difficult to find.

While at my favorite thrift store I found a gorgeous gold frame, and it was on sale that day for only $7! When I removed the painting I found staples along the back keeping it in place, so when I (eventually) removed those, I had holes already spaced out along the top.

I screwed cup hooks into the holes from the staples, and let my OCD brain to spend more time than I’ll admit to organizing the pieces : )

And that was it!

I was surprised how easy it was to make, and how much I love the result! It’s practical and easy to use, and the huge frame somehow keeps all the necklaces from looking too cluttered in my room. Just a simple way to display my favorite bits of the world : )

I may have drowned a camera and missed my man, but golly was it fun : )

I want to start doing a series of introduction posts, just because there are people in my life you should really get to meet : )

On my 10th birthday, my family packed up the rest of our Richmond house and set out for the Gulf of Mexico. 2.5 years later, we packed up our Florida house and I celebrated my half-birthday by starting the long drive back to Virginia. We didn’t have much to show for our time there, just a few friends, some crazy stories and probably lots of sand in the car.

When I left my two closest friends were sisters, and somehow for the last 13 years we’ve just stayed close.

Somehow we grew up from dolls and scrunchies and adventures to marriage and kids for her, pictures and weddings for me, and, well, grand adventures still : )

Katie’s one of those people who is pretty amazing at life, but never gives herself nearly enough credit. She’s been married 4 years, a mom twice over, and has turned collecting antique furniture into a side business, where she repaints/reupholsters, and has a booth at an antique mall where she sells it all. (sidenote: wouldn’t that be the greatest excuse to go thrifting for stuff all the time?) She’s just as creative and imaginative as she was when we were 12 and 13, and instead of growing out of it has used those gifts to better her life and the people in it.

It can be hard to stay close to friends who not only live far away, but also have their lives in different places. I can’t imagine what my life would look like without her friendship, and am grateful nothing’s changed except for the better.

We visit each other or other cities a couple times a year, and last week it was her turn to come here. She brought her new baby Jack, and we spent a few days exploring, painting, and still building our castles in the sky <3

There are still pieces to be added to it, but I love it SO SO SO MUCH.

It’s gorgeous wall art (inspired by this!) that’s dramatic, symmetrical, and was a complete surprise. AND – all the diamond pieces are interchangeable, so if my ever-indecisive brain wants to rearrange it, I can! He’s the man, and he kinda knows it.

Some other time that weekend we went exploring with a camera, because he’s pretty good at that too.

most likely some chauvinistic joke from him….

…and my typical reaction : )

and that’s where my happy (if imperfect and overwhelming but still ever hopeful) life is at age 25.

I have much to be grateful for : )

“I just wanna make a home with this woman.” — Tyler Stockton

There could never be enough words for the pictures or pictures for the stories, but here’s an attempt.

From opening a studio to moving my home, to finding home in another – 2011 was a year for stretching and hope and excitement like none other. Hard decisions and lessons learned and long talks at our tree by the river with thanks and goodness in it all.

I left Virginia 15 times for trips around the world and still can’t believe I’m this fortunate. Mexico, Scotland, England, Puerto Rico, British Virgin Islands, Tennessee, Florida, California, and a few states in between.

This is the work I’d hoped to do, and now it’s somehow real.

Narrowing down a year of stories for this post was so much more difficult than I expected, like being forced to choose a favorite child. I tried to see it less as favorites and more as a focused collection. Focused on what I’m most proud of, and what I hope to do more of.

I’m forever grateful to the dear-hearts who trusted my work and opened their beautiful lives with kindness, and I hope you enjoy!

Look slowly, share if you like, and know that I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you.

Much love.