I always have a ball with my good friend, Kate! So when she asked me to help her plan and design her little girls first birthday party, I said sign me up! We knew immediately that we wanted to the theme to be “Parker’s Palm Springs Birthday.” No details were missed and we took every chance we could get to give a nod to the Parker Hotel in sunny Palm Springs, CA! (aka my favorite place to visit!) Here’s a peek at her party!

Here invitations will be a forever fave.

Pops of gold foil and confetti everywhere you looked!

A first impression at it’s finest!

A custom hot pink neon sign was a must!

Nothing but heart eyes for this party!

If the party doesn’t have a signature cocktail, is it even a party?

Cheers to turning ONE!

Flamingos, palm trees and lips, oh my!

The Daily Disco nailed it with these custom jackets to match the invitations.

A fun fact: I found this high chair in the alley behind my house before Parker’s brother, Drake’s, first birthday! Glad it has found a home and so many uses!

Sealed with a kiss! Parker is a little lady with great etiquette. These thank you notes were mailed to all her guests!

Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite days of the year! I designed the invitations for my parents party and duplicated them for a friend. Had so much fun celebrating this year!

I always like to end the year looking back at my fave projects. I’ve stayed very busy this year so it was hard to pick only 10! Here’s a look at what I would call the best of the best!

10. Stacy & Charlie’s September Nuptials: I couldn’t be happier with how this invitation suite turned out. Gold foil, light pink & floral patterns, oh my!

9. A Luau for Linda: I had so much fun getting together with my family to throw my Grandma Linda’s 80th surprise birthday party. Cheers to 80 more!

8. Grant’s First Fiesta: Speaking of birthday parties, here’s one for the books! My best friend, Colleen, and I threw her son’s first taco themed birthday party. I can’t wait to plan #2!

7. Abby & Nick’s Wedding: Navy, gold & palms galore! This wedding suite was so much fun to work on for a childhood friend’s June wedding.

6. Art Directing like a boss: This post wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t at least mention my “real job.” Over the past year I’ve had the opportunity to work on a ton of photo shoots for Famous Footwear! From booking models, working with photographers or shooting on my iphone, all the way to planning our catered meals, I have learned so much and will always cherish these memories.

5. Little Miss Parker’s first set of stationery: My friend, Kate, asked me to design a set of stationery for her newborn daughter this past March. I loved it so much, I printed some for myself. (Those swans tho…)

4. CWD & Wedding Workshop Collab: Over the past few months I have been a busy bee working on a special collaboration with the Wedding Workshop. I can’t wait to share more in 2019!

3. Cali Cards for a Cali Boy: When the California golden boy himself asked me to design his 2018 Christmas cards, I simply said “say no more.” Signed, sealed & delivered, complete with custom cactus stamps!

2. Kathleen & Trent got married: Kathleen and I met several years ago at a workout class and became fast friends. She really is one of the sweetest people ever! Her navy, gray and raspberry themed wedding was a dream!

1. A Very Merry CWD Christmas: OK, OK I probably shouldn’t list my own Christmas card as my #1 project, but I rarely design things for myself and loved working on this. This past year has been a doozie. I saw the world and learned a lot about myself. I wanted to share something special with my friends and family, so naturally I got to work on a little drawing of Charli and I complete with photos from my year all sealed up in a cute little envelope. This was my first Christmas card and I honestly can’t wait to send another one next year. Cheers to 2019!

I had the pleasure of helping my friend, Colleen, plan her son’s first fiesta! Tacos, cervezas and dips galore… how could anything about this party be wrong!?

Cookies by “Skip to the Loo Cookie Co.”

The birthday boy had a great time and even wore the sombrero for hours! Can’t wait to start planning the next one, Grant! Two is a great year from what I’ve heard! :)

I recently had the pleasure of attending a class at the City Sewing Room in St. Louis. The class was taught by the oh-so-crafty Michelle Kidwell, who happens to be a great friend of mine! We learned to make aprons out of old jeans and I can’t wait to put mine to good use!

I found a pair of vintage levi’s in the donation pile. (I would have kept them if they were my size)

The city sewing room is full of goodies to choose from to make your creation pop!

I finally learned to work a sewing machine… only three years after my mom bought me one! :)

Love the finished product! I even managed to sew the original labels back on. Pretty proud!

Art directing photoshoots has become a HUGE part of my day to day life. Here’s a few samples of what we’ve been rocking lately!

My oh-so-stylish grandma just turned 80 and we threw her a lavish luau!

(No party is complete without busting out my giant flamingos!)

Grandma Linda had a great time and is ready for another 80! ;)

I LOVE everything about this wedding. I know the bride, Ashley, from working out at the same gym. We became fast friends when we started working on events for St. Louis Children's Hospital together. When she asked me to design her wedding stationery last year, I knew I had to because she does life to perfection. No detail is missed and her taste is impeccable. Proof in the photos below! 

I had a ball designing everything from the invitations to the menus to the final thank you cards. This truly was a dream wedding and I couldn't be more happy for Joe & Ashley. 

A BIG shout out to the two ladies behind the calligraphy and letterpress printing. These invitations and day of items would not have been possible with out them.
Katie @ Caraway Calligraphy
Alli @ Ollie Ollie Press

Not that I need to point this out, but aren't the flowers to die for!? They were designed by my second cousin, Alaina, of Accent Floral Design.  Small world, right?

The AMAZING Photography by: Susie Vreeland Photography
See more photos here. 

DETAILS:
Location: Oak Knoll Park. ceremony and St. Louis Community Foundation, reception
Catering: Butler’s Pantry
Event Coordination: Kristin Ashley Events
Flowers: Accents Floral Design
Calligraphy: Caraway Calligraphy
Letterpress Printing: Ollie Ollie Press
Music: Acoustik Element, ceremony; DJ Chris Brown through Contemporary Productions, reception
Rentals: Weinhardt Party Rentals, ceremony chairs; Premier Rentals, reception chairs; La Tavola, linens; Traube Tent, tent
Lighting and Fabric Draping: Exclusive Events
Cake: Sugaree Baking Company
Ice Cream: Clementine’s Creamery
Bride’s Gown: Claire Pettibone from Fleur De Lis Bridal Boutique
Hair and Makeup: Blown Away Blow Dry Bar
Groom’s Tuxedo: Tom James Company
Rings: Genovese Jewelers