Ta-Da!

I hope he likes it! We'll see tomorrow about the particulars of sending this design to Discmakers to be printed off on 100% recycled cardboard jackets. Think front and back only, no lyric booklet, cd slides into side. It's an EP. That's sensible.

Front:


Back:
I have yet to finish the actual cd design. It can only be three colors, and he's mentioned splattered paints of some sort. Side note: Bran is no slave-driver. This is a project I willingly agreed to, rather, volunteered to attempt. In fact, said handsome fellow gently woke me up for breakfast in bed today. Gotta love that! But don't love it too much. He's taken. By me. Back off. Geez.

A Pretty Big Project

Today I have no simple task: B has placed me in charge, if you will, of designing the album artwork for his recently recorded Grace EP. If you'd like, you can listen to this on his website. Early August brings a youth camp he's playing for in Pennsylvania, and planning on taking the cd's with him. These were the images he gave me for guidance.

Photos property of Brandon Whiteside, www.brandonwhitesidemusic.com

Oh, to create something that isn't too loud for him will be a stretch. He's much more simplistic than I am. Cross your fingers for me! I'll share the progress...

Currently Reading: Cold Tangerines

Brandon bought me this. I began reading it on the honeymoon and have been so refreshed. Rather than drone about its goodness myself, I'll share the review by Radiant Magazine:

Shauna Niequist sets out to celebrate the often overlooked, sparkling details of life in her first novel, Cold Tangerines. Through her collection of inspiring essays and stories, Niequist eloquently describes the seemingly insignificant fringes of our day-to-day lives, like the value of a favorite sweater or the sensation of being a solo traveler. The author demonstrates a keen prowess to tap into some of the deepest human emotions and describes her own with absolute sincerity. Cold Tangerines is not only a celebration of life's intricacies, but also a memoir of Niquist's life as an self-conscious teen, a wife and new mother, and a member of Willow Creek Church and Rob Bell's Mars Hill community. She writes: “I choose to believe that there may be a thousand big moments, embedded in this day, waiting to be discovered like tiny shards of gold. The big moments are the daily, tiny moments of courage and forgiveness and hope that we grab on to and extend to one another.” Cold Tangerines offers a fresh perspective and outlook on life, bringing new hope to readers.

The one thing I have to add to this review: "Let go of the past and go for the future. Go confidently in the direction if your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." - Henry David Thoreau

Lately so much of what I do is dream. I envision the business I want to begin, the house as I continue design work on it, each piece of clothing I want to assemble myself, and constantly have new color palettes dancing around in my mind. Though that is a beautiful place, and hoping is what moves us forward, I have to be careful to enjoy this journey, the now! It's too good to miss. Also, I feel it necessary to share this picture of dear Carlson, as it appears he's about to enjoy said cold tangerine. Ok, corny. But look at this silly college kid and tell me you don't think he'd be an interesting guy to know.


Here's to everyday.... To doing and not just hoping, to no longer waiting for our defining moment because each has its treasure.

Today's a Big Day.

Don't worry. I'm not going patriotic on you. My sentiments for this holiday are wrapped up in one completely red-white-and-blue free moment: Brandon proposed on this day last year. The specifics of how and why we got there are lengthy, at best. In short, I am the most gullible idiot, and not only did I not see it coming, I rather embarrassed myself immediately beforehand. The facts of such escapades are never left out when we tell the story of the proposal to friends, but for the sake of my dignity, may I ignore them just this once?

Brandon prepared this slideshow for me, claiming it was of the children I nanny and some of our close friends and family. Cool, I thought, but I've probably seen these pictures a thousand times. What's the big deal? Why is he being so insistent that I watch the stinking slideshow?! Well, watch and you'll understand. The end will show 2 darling little nephews of his with some pictures I'd never seen before. Huh...

You are invited to view "The Slideshow to End All Slideshows," in Brandon's words. : )

We went to Dragon Park to take some pictures that afternoon, pictured below, for you convenience.

I heart Julie and Amy Lynn Brown.

One of my favorite stories about the wedding has surprisingly little to do with Brandon. No offense, dear goofball. Are you familiar with the movie Fried Green Tomatoes? I hail it as the ultimate story about love, but not just marriage and starting a family and kisses love. This is the best-friend-you-never-knew-you-needed love. 'Til death do us part may still apply.

Well, I share this bond with one Julie S. I won't type her last name for privacy reasons, and because maybe I still can't spell it after all these years. (Ok, that's a lie, but it is difficult.) Miss Julie agreed to be my maid of honor, and she put a whole new set of standards on such a position. In summary, a notable contribution was made to our day via this gal. She was well aware of my nervousness regarding only one facet of this wedding: needing makeup that would last the day and photograph well under professional lighting. She saw my sweat and worries, and stepped in to help in such a grand way.

I found Amy Lynn, a Nashville makeup artist through fellow bridal blogger the Budget Savvy Bride. After meeting with Amy, there was so much peace about the whole topic, except for one major detail: I simply did not have it in my budget to hire her. I tried squirming around with some numbers, and even arranging a bridal fair to raise some money and spotlight her. No such luck though. I think you see it coming.... After a few months had gone by, I'd come to terms with doing my own makeup, but I was scared as heck. There was no other way.

On April 18th, a month before the wedding, Julie stopped by my apartment to give me a birthday gift. Sweet enough, in and of itself. She handed me a card where she had written, "Call Amy Lynn. She's waiting to hear from you for your trial run."

WHAT?!!!!! I stared at the card in disbelief for so long. The services of Amy Lynn. GIVEN TO ME? If this is a joke, ouch.

It wasn't. And look what happened because of these two wonderful blessings, in the form of ladies:::






I was on a cloud that whole day. Wow.... Towanda, Julie. Towanda.

Feeling a Bit Ambitious, Eh?

Well, it's been long enough, right? After a significant break from blogging, I've gotten a second wind... or from the looks of this quick brainstorming session, maybe a lot of winds. Ha.

There is much to share, and a few changes will so be evident. I've missed you, friends. Let me know you've stopped by, and what you're looking forward to about what's in store for you (listed below, for you convenience). Back soon. I swear it.

Consider this eye candy for the day. Is that ok?


Upcoming Blog Posts:

1. Wedding Recap
• Getting Ready Pictures (featuring Amy Lynn)
• 12th South and Hillsboro
• Wedding Party at TNU
• Bridesmaid Feature (tie into plans, show personalities through details)
• Stevie and Genevieve feature
• Formal family photos at church
• Reception
• Getaway (include our new disdain for birdseed)
• Screenshot & words written by Sarah Beth/Jenn Showalter
• Link to Amy’s website where I’m featured
• Link to April’s blog where we are featured
• Implant actual video from Josh
• Photo Antiquing feature

2. Playing House
• Before/After of Downstairs
• Before/After of Upstairs
• Plans for progress
• Project Features: Bottles in windows, closet, green pics in dining room, paintings, pillows made, photo albums made
• Gardening projects
• How I actually passed up a $50 yellow upright piano…Sheesh

3. Studio Venture
• Wedding planning, artistic direction, visionary, invitation design, floral design, and the like, maintaining calm and enjoyment
• Interior repurposing, organizing, color- and life-injecting
• A shop to showcase and affordably sell my art
• Considering photography of children
• “Remedy Designs: Creative Solutions for Weddings and Interiors”

4. Playing Dress-Up
• Intentions behind dressing the way I do
• Goals in Fashion, including sewing and design
• Projects
• The outfits generated to tell people I’m good at what I do

5. Life As it Happens
• Cycling updates (photos with Bran, bike specs, daily ride details, the quest to prove that a cruiser bike is a necessity, etc.)
• Farmers’ Market trips
• Lessons learned at work with the 2-year-old twins
• Desire to delve back into music world
• Brandon duplicating his EP = my attempt at album art and marketing
• Updates on Julie (and soon Whitney), my bff’s in Korea for a year
• Lomography rendezvous – you know, those crazy pictures
• What I’m reading
• Occasional personal musings ; )

Teaser!

Sorry about the twelve-year delay! I was, uh, planning the wedding, moving across the country, computer-less, and enjoying my family!

Ashley WHITESIDE here...

If you'll forgive me, I'll let you watch THIS! (Courtesy of JoshKelleyProductions)

Be ready for more juicy goodness after our week in Charleston!