Makes me want to go on a picnic...

Along with all the amazing weddings they've photographed this season, I love this photo by Paul Rich and Holly Andres. It really makes me want to grab my picnic basket and go to the park with my hubby.

For Mix Magazine
Found HERE.

Week of Inspiration :: Day 2 :: Business smarts

Paul and Holly of Paul Rich Studio

When I used to make hair piece for myself and family/friends only, I never thought of ever making pieces as my main occupation. I thought I was going to be a scientist forever. It amazes me still to look back and see the huge steps I took to get to where I am today. I usually plan very far out and hardly take risks... very type A personality. I remember telling my dad on the phone that I was planning to leave my research position to do twigs & honey full time and he first went, "oh, okay..." and then, "uh, what??" It took guts, I tell you! Jumping into the unknown head first.

Possibly unbeknownst to them, Paul Rich Studio was a huge motivator for me to take that huge step from employee to self-employed. They were so encouraging and so right with everything... before, during and after our wedding. I remember when Matt and I went to one of their soirees in early 2008, soon after we were married, and it was just a few days after I listed my first piece on Etsy. I told Paul and Holly and their reaction surprised me. So supportive and really great with their suggestions. Both Paul and Holly are so wonderfully successful in their occupations and their business savvy was invaluable. Paul mentioned that I should consider the possibility of doing twigs & honey full-time. I think Matt and I thought it was a tad premature/nutty, but it got the wheels turning. Paul also gave me a huge tip. He said that when your side job is making about 80% of your main job, that's the sign that you need to do what you love full-time. Perhaps it was some great psychic power, but after that talk, twigs & honey started to takeoff.

As the weeks went by, I really started to realize that I couldn't keep both my full-time job and twigs & honey demands (I literally slept 0-3 hours a night!). Throughout, Paul and Holly really believed that it would definitely payoff for me to go for it, and by March, twigs & honey was reaching the break even point with my full-time job and I put my paperwork in, gave my final notice to my employer and as cliche as it sounds, the rest is history. Since then, they continue to be a great source of inspiration and always have the best tips and advice. Paul and Holly are some of the hardest working people I know and I always love hearing about their personal successes and watching their work reach a greater audience and gain deserved recognition. Thank you so much you two!!!

Some of Holly's work:

Holly's work is stunning. You must visit her website to view her work by clicking here.
Photo credits: Holly Andres

Beautiful work from Paul Rich Studio:

I have to show some more gorgeous photos from my sister's wedding. Visit the Paul Rich Studio blog to view their slideshow or click here. By the way, Amy & Sean's wedding was so beautiful and can you believe their wedding budget was well under $10,000?! There were so many lovely details, so be sure to check it out!!

The rest of Amy & Sean's wedding photos are up in the proofing gallery. Go to Paul Rich Studio and then to "proofs" and to "Amy & Sean". Or, just click here. You can also view Matt & Myra wedding photos by clicking here. Lovely!!

Photo credits: Paul Rich Studio

Beautiful! :: Amy & Sean's wedding photos :: Paul Rich Studio

I'm up late as usual and while visiting Paul Rich Studio's blog, I was so excited to see some of Amy & Sean's wedding photos! They turned out beautifully! I wasn't expecting them up so soon, so it was a great surprise. I think the rest will be up after all the post production work is complete, but some of their favorites are up and you'll have to check out there blog to see the rest and to see all the other lovely pictures from these talented photographers! Here are a few that are just too lovely for words:

I love this photo. My mom looks so cute. It's very creative photography too. My mom and I were actually standing behind my sister in the bathroom, and the photo is showing our reflection in the bathroom door's mirror. At least I think that's what I'm seeing. My head hurts thinking about it. ;)

Photo credits: Paul Rich Studio

PRESS :: Portland Bride & Groom

I am completely honored to say that twigs & honey is now featured in the current Summer/Fall issue of Portland Bride & Groom!

A few months ago, I was absolutely giddy and a bit in shock when Jill, the editor, got in touch to inquire about a custom piece for their "Wish List" spread. This was really early in my Etsy shop history, so I was honored and utterly flattered. Portland Bride & Groom has been a longtime favorite bridal/wedding publication of mine. They publish 2 issues a year and never waste one page. They always feature the most beautiful local artisans, fashions, and everything else having to do with weddings. The issues offer wonderful advice articles and the great part is that 95% of the magazine is useful information and not just advertisements (the remaining 5% are lovely advertisements too!). I even found my make up artist, Kymm Ernst, and hairstylist, Mark Putnam, through this magazine. I still hoard and refer back to the old issues and refuse to let them go.

Matt & I are also thrilled to say that our wedding was among the six "Real Weddings" in this issue! So exciting! I'm also so very excited for our wedding photograhpers, Paul Rich Studio, for getting such wonderful coverage and recognition they most definitely deserve!

A HUGE thank you to everyone at Portland Bride & Groom and to Jill especially! Thank you!

I'll be posting the spread once I get them scanned. :)

Yay, yay! There we are!

More photos of Elizabeth Dye's 2008 Spring/Summer fashion

Yipee! I loved everything Elizabeth Dye created for her "break free of winter and welcome some color" styled line for Spring/Summer. There were lots of punchy colors, forgiving and flowy shapes, great prints and rising hemlines. It was a blast and I'm STILL so happy, that Elizabeth was able to create my wedding dress. I'm continually reminded of her talents. The theme was very mod 60s. The show was titled "Three is a Magic Number" and took me right back to the time I sang it for a musical. The other School House Rock tune I was responsible for: Figure 8. The director said I was the "smart one" (i.e. math nerd), so I would be the only one to handle it. hmmm...
I digress! Thank you Elizabeth for asking me to "model"! I had a wonderful time and any excuse to wear your pieces... I'm there! Thank you Ambrosia from Magnum Opus for transforming me into a Bond babe. Thank you Clara for the make up application and eyeshadow that my husband appreciated. ;) Thank you Paul Rich of Paul Rich Studio for the photos and the enthusiasm! Thank you Dove and Sarah for being just so darn fun and sweet and congrats on your upcoming weddings! And of course, thank you Matt, my hubby and cheerleader. Everyone loved the flowers. Here are a few photos from the show:

Sarah getting her hair done by the amazing Ambrosia.

Dove and I climbed up and down these bad boys several times throughout the show for quick changes. Climbed or flew?

The lovely and leggy Sarah.

The gorgeous and very swan-esque Dove.

Who could this be? Way too groovy to be me.

All the lovely ladies after the finale walk.
Thank you Paul Rich Studio for the amazing photos (last 4).

Exciting feature :: Style Me Pretty

I was so completely thrilled to have our wedding featured in one of the most spectacular wedding blogs, Style Me Pretty. I have been a long time admirer of the fabulous blog and still find myself pouring over the great fashions and eye candy that grace each post. Abby, the talent behind the blog, was so thoughtful to do the beautiful feature and we couldn't be more grateful! Matt & I are also so excited to have our wedding photographers receive the recognition they deserve. Paul and Holly of Paul Rich Studio are two of the most talented wedding day photographers around and we are always so happy to see their success grow. Thank you Abby, Paul & Holly! Matt & I never tire of looking at our wedding photos... takes us right back to our beautiful wedding.

Photo shoot :: Just some of the wonderful photos

I have been meaning to do a lovely post about the photo shoot we did with Paul Rich Studio and Elizabeth Dye, but I just keep running out of time! I've decided to post a nice assortment of a few of the gorgeous photos we shot a couple weeks ago - in freezing wintry weather! I loved the results! Thank you so much Paul Rich Studio, Elizabeth Dye and Holly Andres!! You are the best!

Fashions worn on the models are the creative designs of Elizabeth Dye or pieces found at The English Dept. Most of the twigs & honey hair pieces are also available through The English Dept.



Model: Holly Andres

Model: Elizabeth Dye

Photo Credits: Paul Rich Studio

New twigs & honey items :: Encircling Gardens :: Flowering Neck Adornments

I am so pleased to announce that I have launched the twigs & honey necklace line, Encircling Gardens. These necklaces continue the twigs & honey aesthetic and style and are perfect for sprucing up a t-shirt or camisole. They are also lovely with dresses and would be fantastic with an elegant wedding dress. These necklaces are original twigs & honey designs and are handmade. Custom orders are welcome! I love them so much! Photos courtesy of the talented Paul Rich Studio.

Photo shoot :: coming soon!

I just had to gush about some truly fantastic people we are so fortunate to know and work with!

We recently (yesterday) had a photo shoot for the twigs & honey pieces and came away with some amazing photos. I'll be posting about this more in the coming weeks, but wanted to thank Paul Rich Studio & Elizabeth Dye!! Paul, his lovely wife Holly, and the ridiculously charming and gorgeous Elizabeth Dye were such good sports and so utterly sweet throughout the day despite 30 degree weather, sleet and rain coming at us sideways, wind, curious onlookers, the occasional security guard, you name it! THANK YOU!

More on this later.....
Please visit Elizabeth Dye's site for some visually delicious work!
Also visit the talented Holly Andres to view some extraordinary artwork.
And of course, as I post everywhere and can't say enough good things about them, visit Paul Rich Studio for some absolutely breathtaking wedding photography.