I Love Chattanooga

We've been having a grand ole time in Chattanooga (our second home) visiting my husband's (and my!) family. They are the best! Today we are visiting an art museum and an awesome vintage store and I'm pretty excited about it! I've also been getting a bit of drawing done. I love our Chattanooga getaways. They are always the perfect mixture of relaxed family time and downtown exploring. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's my latest commission of two lovebirds and their happy family of four! I was so blessed to get to draw such dear friends of ours (Hi Karen and Brady!) and seeing their faces when they received it was the best! This might be my favorite commission so far..I've never drawn cats before so I loved the challenge!

Tonight Adam and I are going on a hot date to the grocery store ; ) Oh, married life. We decided to make each other homemade valentine's.. I'm so excited to get mine! I love it whenever Adam makes me cards!

I hope your day is full of love!

Daily Outfit Doodle: Stripes and Ice Cream

Happy Tuesday everyone! My day will be spent running errands, working out, cooking dinner, and meeting up with one of my most favorite ladies for some hard core brainstorming/business planning.

I made this little vanilla ice cream brooch last night and decided to pair it with a white striped shirt and green cardigan. The skirt is new (well, new to me) and it might be my favorite one that I own! The length and fit are just perfect! Also my hair is long enough to put into a ponytail again...<3 

Outfit Details:

// Shirt: gifted from friend 

// Skirt: thrifted

// Cardigan: Forever 21

// Polka Dot Tights: Target

// Shoes: Vintage

// Belt: Vintage

// Hair bow: Little Bowtique

// Ice Cream brooch: DIY

ps:

My tattoo is almost healed! Yay!

Currently...

How adorable is this little lamp I picked up a few weeks ago?? I had to have it.

Feeling...incredible. The husband and I started eating Paleo (read more about it here!) about a month ago, and I can count on three fingers the number of times I have "cheated" (including last night, when I indulged in some frozen yogurt with a plethora of toppings)...we both agree we feel more rested at night, clearheaded, and overall full of more energy. I've always suffered from really scattered thoughts (maybe adult ADD? I don't know) but this past week especially I was able to finish things I started instead of getting distracted by a million other things. This new development couldn't come at a better time because we are busier than ever! And it's doing wonders for my digestion issues. This is the main reason I started eating this way and I'm so happy to be without the upset stomach I used to have on a pretty much daily basis. The sugar cravings were the hardest to overcome, and eating the frozen yogurt didn't do us any favors in that department, but there are plenty of healthier paleo options (like these pumpkin muffins or these chocolate chip cookies).

Excited for...things to come. God's plans for our lives are bigger and more amazing than we can ever imagine!

Wanting...this necklace. I know it's a part of the bridal collection, but I am a bride and a mrs. and I love everyone knowing it. : )

Drawing...lots of things! I am working on getting my portfolio together and looking more professional.

Looking forward to...our upcoming trip to Chattanooga,Tennessee! Only a week and a half alway....I have so many books I am going to tackle, and I can't wait to get some quality brainstorming/drawing time in! We always love our trips to TN. I'm blessed to have great in-laws! <3

This post was inspired by the lovely Danielle at Sometimes Sweet!

Sunday Sketchbook #6

Better late than never, right? Haha..I actually doodled this one today. I've been super into patterns lately...

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend! We aren't into football around these parts, so we're just watching episodes of The Mighty Boosh and eating a late dinner. <3

Meeting Mary Engelbreit

Yesterday I had the honor of meeting Mary Engelbreit (If you don't know who she is, google her. I guarantee you've seen her artwork somewhere at some point in your life) For an illustrator, this is as good as it gets...like if an animator got to meet Walt Disney or a musician got to meet the Beatles or something...haha.

But seriously..I've admired Mary's work my entire life. I grew up surrounded by it and would often try to re-create my favorite pieces of hers growing up. Like me, she never went to art school..she is self taught, which makes her story even more amazing!

She hung out with us for hours, giving us the tour, chatting it up, telling us stories, signing whatever we wanted..we were even supposed to get lunch(!!!) but unfortunately ran out of time.

(Mary's studio!! )

(Me in front of Mary's sketches!)

We got to see some new up and coming work, as well as some unfinished pieces, and the entire 2014 calendar!

I also had the chance to show her some of my work and she gave me some really great feedback!

I don't think I'll be able to stop smiling for a while.