Bow Tie & Bustle

It’s official! Bow Tie & Bustle is here! Yep! After months and months, and weeks and weeks of working on this new business, my website is officially launched! Check it out at: www.bowtieandbustle.com. Bow Tie & Bustle is an event design and coordination business in Seattle, WA with a focus on the unique details that make us who we are. My time in Europe reminded me of how much I love the little details in life and this business is a clear reflection of that love. My hope is to continue incorporating my love for paper as well, so if you know anyone who is in need of a unique design or decor styling for a wedding, photo shoot, party or paper product, keep me in mind : )

There is still much more to be done: a new blog (coming soon!), a networking and inspiration blog for brides/grooms and vendors alike with a focus on the Pacific Northwest, an upcoming Parisian inspired (who could forget about Paris!) photo shoot with my dear friend and photographer Monica Hines and much, much more! I can’t wait to share all the details of the new biz, and am so excited and thrilled to be following my heart AND my gut! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Bow Tie & Bustle!

Thanks to all who have supported me in getting here. I couldn’t have done this without the love, hugs, listening ears, and word of mouth that so many of you have kindly offered! Thank you! Thank you!

For now, a sneak peak at the “Bun in the Oven” photo shoot I was involved in a couple weeks ago…thanks to MoHinesPhotography for the amazing photographs!

Me setting up the shoot at one of the most adorable couple’s home. Thanks to Jenn and Ryan Strom for allowing me to be involved in their baby bump shoot!

The entire design for the shoot came from an idea that literally made me jump out of bed one morning…bun in the oven…a vintage timer…baby bump…oooooh! Look for an upcoming blog post on this adorable photo shoot!

Kellan the Baby Cub

“More work for you???” was the title of their message when Brendan and Steph asked me to help them create their baby announcements. Little did Brendan and Steph know, but “more work” was the last thing I would ever use to describe their announcements. Anything related to Brendan and Steph is NEVER work. They are two of the kindest, and thoughtful souls I have ever met. I have known them for more than a few years now, and the more I get to know their adorable little family, the more amazing I realize they are.

When inquiring about what they were looking for in an announcement, Brendan made very few requests, but did ask that I include both him, Steph, and their son Eamon on the announcements as well – making it more of a family focus. I brainstormed ways to merge a family “feel” into their baby announcement, and when I found this adorable zoo print paper I knew exactly what to do. The lion on the paper was utterly adorable – babyish, but boyish all at the same time. A lion cub it was.

I was beyond excited to get the opportunity to meet baby Kellan in July at Anna and Lars’ wedding, and seeing the four of the Murphy’s together (Brendan, Steph, Eamon, and now new baby Kellan) made my heart all warm, and mushy. Knowing that I was getting to be involved in such an amazing time in their lives was a total thrill for me. Announcing baby Kellan through my paper designs is such an honor, and I want to congratulate Brendan and Steph on their new bundle of joy. He is beautiful you guys!

Baby Ladybug

Oooohhhh! I am so excited about these announcements!

Awhile back I was encouraged by my friend Emma (okay, so I’m calling her my agent now – joking of course, well…not really) to approach Aly, the director of Becoming Parents Program (where I work), about creating her baby announcements. Aly was expecting a little baby girl, and had been calling her “ladybug” during her pregnancy. I thought the nickname was completely adorable, and I was inspired to design an announcement for Aly before she even said “yes” to my offer.

I found these incredibly sweet and delicate, hand-painted ladybug buttons at a fabric store, and knew immediately that they had to be incorporated into the design. It also just so happened that a “ladybug” print (actually these cute little flowers made to look like ladybugs) came from out of nowhere and instantly became the envelope liner. I finished off the look with some “baker’s twine” and voila! Baby ladybug – June Elizabeth’s birth will be officially announced!

Congratulations Aly and Allie! Really excited for you (and Sam too!).

Brooklyn

I didn’t know what it was going to feel like to be an aunt. When I got married last year, I was so excited to know that along with marrying such a wonderful man I would also have a new title! I am now lucky enough to be called “Auntie Jenn” and I have two BEAUTIFUL nieces, Izzie and Brooklyn. Brooklyn was born last December and it has been excruciating not to have had the opportunity to meet her yet. My sister-in-law Caryn and brother-in-law Steve live in Arizona with their adorable girls, and I do not get to see them as much as I would like. BUT this weekend, I finally get to meet Brooklyn after 7 LONG months of waiting!

I cannot wait to pick her up and engulf her in hugs and kisses. I have no doubt that she has just as much personality and spunk as her older sister, and I feel so lucky and fortunate to have another niece. Brooklyn is also getting baptized this weekend during my trip to home to CO, and I am so thrilled to be present for such an important occasion.

I decided to get Brooklyn a little gift as a way to say, “so nice to finally meet you!”  While shopping at one of my favorite stationery stores, I happened upon an elephant-print paper and immediately gravitated towards it. I loved the rich colors of the paper, and although it’s not a traditional “baby” looking design, I somehow got a feeling that it would be just perfect for Brooklyn. I had this fantastic orange and white striped ribbon at home that has been waiting to make its mark and I just loved how it looked in contrast to the little elephants.

I can’t wait to meet Brooklyn!

Take Baby Out To The Ballgame

And it’s one, two, three strikes you’re out, at the old ball game!

I just love themed baby nurseries. I think they are absolutely adorable. Whether they be an eclectic color theme, a story book theme, or a baseball theme (like Maili and Brian’s), the possibilities are endless. I loved when Maili posted pictures awhile back of the very sweet nursery she and Brian created for baby Luke, including even a baseball bat lamp…so cute!

For as long as I can remember, Maili has expressed a love for baseball and softball, and incorporating these into her nursery theme is such a great idea. Her love for the sport is something that I’m sure will be passed down to her little one, and was such an inspiration to my gift wrapping for her shower last weekend.

I can’t wait to meet baby Luke!

Look Whoooo Part Two

Maili’s baby shower was here! Yes it came and it went, but boy (yes, pun intended!), was it a blast. Not only did I have a great time visiting with some of my old friends from UW, but also I loved playing games, watching Maili open adorable baby gifts, eating AMAZING food (good job Kate and Emma!), and most of all just laughing. This group of gals sure knows how to have a good time, and Maili’s baby shower was no exception. I had a fantastic afternoon with good friends.

As a means of continuing the owl invitation theme, Emma asked me to create a “wish book” for Maili so that everyone at the baby shower could sign the book and give their well wishes to Maili, Brian and new baby Luke. I loved making this little book and hope to get the chance to make another one soon. Yay for babies!

A New Addition

Our good friends Brendan and Steph are expecting their second child this summer and I couldn’t be happier for them. This past weekend Adam and I drove down to Portland to attend a baby shower to celebrate their new addition, and we had such a great time!

Brendan and Steph do not know whether they are having a baby girl or boy yet (yay for a baby girl!), so I decided to use some pink AND blue wrapping paper to wrap their gift, and personalized it with their last name, “Murphy.”  I found some super fun “fuzzy” letters to include, that seemed to just make the gift pop! No pun intended Steph : )

We had a wonderful time playing games, sharing possible baby names, visiting, chalking the sidewalk with adorable Eamon (Brendan and Steph’s son) and eating great food with fabulous friends. I cannot wait to meet new baby Murphy! Congratulations Brendan and Steph! I’m so thrilled for you!

Look Whoooo!

I was so excited to get the opportunity to create Maili’s baby shower invitations. I worked with Maili during my time at UW Medical Center and I adore her! I actually saw her last weekend and she has to be one of the most beautiful pregnant woman I have ever seen – she was glowing!

Emma and Kate (hostesses of the event) were in the process of searching for invitations when Emma suggested that I make the invites rather than her and Kate purchasing them offline. I jumped at the opportunity especially since Emma and Kate were kind enough to give me creative liberties, only requesting that there be a few shades of blue in the design; AND I had never made a baby shower invitation before.

I have always wanted to do something with owls (they are so cool!), and while searching through baby shower invitation wordings online, I came across the adorable idea of stating “look whoooo’s expecting” as the opening statement on the invite. The statement turned out to be the perfect tie-in to my owl design.

The owls came to fruition through hours of cutting out different shapes to create my own owl “ideal”.  I wanted there to be a mamma owl and baby owl, and as I started the process of cutting all the tiny little pieces by hand I thought, “there has to be a better way to do this!” I checked out a few paper shops in Seattle, and came across circle punches that were the perfect size for the owls eyes. As for the rest of the design it is all from scratch and hand cut. I had so much fun making these invites!

I hope you love them as much as I do, Maili! Congratulations my friend, you are going to be an amazing mommy!

Wee One

It’s not too too often that I get to wrap a baby gift, but when I do I am over the moon! Babies are awesome. They just are. And lucky for me I am surrounded by babies on most days; yes I do have a fantastic job! : )

I haven’t had too many close friends give birth yet, so when Amanda told me last August that she and Ryan were expecting in March I was so thrilled! Amanda was one of my closest friends in nursing school and boy did we go through a lot together. There were so many ups and downs, and highs and lows throughout school, and Amanda was right there beside me to either cry/whine with me, study beside me or doodle during class right along with me. We even held some of our first nursing school babies with each other during our rotations on labor and delivery.

Adam and I were fortunate enough to be invited to Amanda and Ryan’s wedding a few years back and I just couldn’t wait for them to get pregnant. And hip hip hooray! They did, and now baby Oliver is here!

I got to meet Oliver today during my trip out to Colorado and he is SOOOOO cute!!  Here’s a few pictures of my gift for Oliver. LOVED wrapping this one! Congratulations Amanda and Ryan!