stephanie & matt // como park zoo & conservatory

i am back!  well at least for now. i found i had a bit of free time this evening to share with you some awesome images i created with stephanie and matt....

i had so much fun spending the day dress shopping with stephanie {matt was out golfing} and catching the afternoon weather out at como park in minneapolis.  there was some sweet landscape spots and amazing architecture at the conservatory.  lots of love and laughing!  

enjoy....

- e

{there are a few different ones on facebook too - check it}

vintage:repurposed {2}

my mom found this great stool at an estate sale this summer.  it had a bit of water damage, 3 coats of paint, a bit of rust, and a lot of character. i will run through a quick step-by-step process of what i did.

1. find awesome chair
2. tear off all existing material and loose strings

STOOL BASE: {as you can see i have no pictures of refinishing the base. it was quite frustrating, a few curse words may have popped out of my mouth through this process.}
3. strip wood with paint stripper!
4. sand away any paint or damage with hand-sander or dremmel tool that was left on after stripper
5. remove dust with tack cloth
6. stain! {i chose an ebony color}
7. seal with polyurethane
move on to the seat.....

SEAT TOP:
8. pull out majority of nails and screws that were holding the previous fabric in place. as you can see, i left a few in...
9. measure and fit new padding - glue to seat base
10. add a bit of quilt bunting stuff {my mom suggesting using this to create a nice flow from padding to wood} and staple to back side of seat
11. grab your awesome, new fabric and add it to the seat {i used this black bonetti} remember to pull tight and line up your pattern! staple in place
12. cut away extra material and add a bit of trim to hide cut ends
13. grab a cup of coffee and ENJOY!

questions? leave them in the comments and i will get back to you!
-E

sneak//peek

sharing a little sneak peek on some branding and marketing materials i have been helping a client with.... too excited not to share an inspiration board!  i will share the package once we have everything finalized... until then..  

-E

{photos from pinterest board: vintage modern inspiration}

Design & Decor

 

loving all these images i found on pinterest in the past few weeks. i enjoy the mix of industrial metals and woods with pops of color.  i will have to paint some vintage finds with some bold yet calm colors soon! whats your favorite pop of color in room.... a burst of yellow or maybe a harsh red?  do tell!

find the links on this pinterest board of mine: {art and design} and follow for more great finds!

-E

vintage:repurposed

i have a new jewelry case to display on the wall!  i don't have a great 'before' picture, but i think you get the idea.  i took an old, vintage print drawer and turned it into a 'one of a kind' jewelry case.  you can even see the old black ink that stained the compartments.  all is safe from the ink though since i sealed it in with a few coats of polyurethane. there was no need to sand it all away although i did cut out a few dividers to make room for necklaces! i love its unique character and charm. 

-e

{if you're interested in one, i would love to make it for you - just shoot me an email and i will quote you a price - ellie@5letterdesign.com}

..great gift idea..

oooooh, how i swoon over merriweathercouncil's designs!  what great gift ideas too.  they are small enough to adorn any desk and have a great 'color pop' to stand out in a new dorm room!  maybe even collect a few and spice up a boring wall in your house.... check out all her custom necklaces too.  there are plenty of pieces to see in her shop or visit her new blog if your up for it.   be inspired

-E

{photos by merriweathercouncil - etsy shop}

:tattoo love:

i don't have tattoos myself but love these whimiscal and artful designs.  maybe someday.....   

-E

{photos found on pinterest boards: tattoo and tattoos}

//windy inspiration//

i think its time for a new picture for the blog header. it now feels more like summer and fall with the soft yellow and greens. a tripod and timer are key elements, along with a strong stomach.  i could only capture a few self portraits in the heat until i felt a bit upset {nausea-wise}. spinning and twisting can damper your energy.... 

new ideas are already flowing for the next blog picture..... until then

//movement//

i have been swooning over darker, dreamy pictures lately. i love the feeling these photographers captured with movement and color. these tell a story, as if you caught each individual in mid-stride... i pulled the colors out of each picture too {the little interior designer in me wanted to put a few color palettes together}.  i am going through a dark phase today, i see!  maybe some inspiration to try a few self-portraits......

enjoy :)  
-E

{photo links can be found on my pinterest board: inspiring photography .. not all pictures have great links back - let me know if you know their sources}

:adventures of jenny and her balloon:

thanks jenny {and john - ideas' man and balloon holder extraordinaire} for coming out with me bright and early to practice a few techniques and situations! ever since my own wedding, when i really started to love blogs and amazing photographers, i envied photos with huge balloons.  last week jenny agreed to help me out.  i really didn't know where to start, but knew there was inspiration to be found. with pinterest in mind, i started gathering images.  i gathered big balloon photos.  i found perspectives, cropping techniques, and movement that stood out.  i found over the top photo shoots that will {maybe not quite yet} help me step outside the box.  then we gathered up some supplies and headed out.... here's what i captured:

i learned quite a bit, especially that i enjoy trying to tell a story with photos.  i didn't see it until i came home and threw the photos on the computer that i found i enjoyed when the balloon and jenny showed a bit of conflict or feeling.  walking away with the balloon or the feeling that something was missing {maybe andy ;) } but a story was forming.  maybe a bit more planning beforehand, maybe not - i like spontaneity too!

feel free to shout out suggestions or inspiration for next time!

shoe//love

i am in love with these shoes today! wedges to heels.. neutrals to brights... what are you wearing this summer?  
-E

loeffler randall{lace-up wedge}   bebe{taylor striped platform wedge}   zara{button wedge shoe}  rock&republic{grace striped-wedge slingback}  charlotte russe{color block hidden pump}&{color block satin pump}   anthropologie{slick strap slingbacks}&{lemon stick wedge - sale!}

striped:goodness

 

 

i love stripes this summer, especially grey and white stripes. these are just a few of the airy and light dresses i've been eyeing up lately.

-E   

1. bebe{one shoulder striped maxi dress} 2. anthropologie{nautical dreaming chemise} 3. michael stars{maxi dress} 4. bcbg{striped layered tank dress} 5. red haute{long chevron stripe dress} 6. free people{striped babe blanket dress}

::mid-weekies::

back again with some awesome links i have found over the past two weeks! check them out and let me know if you have a new favorite link too...  {the picture above is one i took of the great finds i bought at an auction just down the road... auctions can be quite the adrenaline rush!}

{photo}love: kim thiel photography - love her lifestyle photos :)

{shops}: flirtatious and bright, loving it!  mackenzie mode

{shops}: beautiful fonts and cards karolin schnoor

{shops}: uniquely shaped skillets and pans maidenfe

{local}wisconsin: great finds from wisconsin sellers

{posts}: simple and minimal digital frames - 20% off for a few more days

{5LD}: sold my first item to japan this week - yippie!

have fun!

-ellie

///lindsay & nate///////////////////////////////

 

 

here are a few photos from this past week when lindsay, nate, a few guests of theirs, and myself headed out to iverson park. they are an awesome couple! i have known lindsay from 1st grade and to this day, still love her energy.  her and nate are both passionate about their jobs, sports, and their two adorable dogs. i just met nate this past year but he gained some quick points when i heard he proposed to her on the top of a roller coaster... how cool is that?!

all the best this fall, lindsay and nate... and happy wedding planning!
{more exciting pictures are coming your way in the mail soon lindsay}
plus check out our facebook page to see a few more
-E

:welcome plump:

new in the shop today... welcome {plump}! its a large {9 inches large} headband in dark gray.  head over to the shop for more details. it was fun making it and sportin' it around the house last night. want it in a custom color? just email me at my 'new' address: ellie@5letterdesign.com .  i can set up a special listing just for you!

-E

//loves//

 

 

sharing a few of my loves on etsy today! here are 4 lovely collections.... have fun browsing
-E

photos by individual shops: {ohdier} : {readygo} : {cassandrasmith} : {bonniejones}

:be unique:

customize and make your headband unique! we are offering to stitch something special on the back of a headband you purchase.  just add the 'personalize/custom' listing to your cart when you buy a headband.  place a note in the 'note to seller' box stating what you would like the back to say.  keep it short and sweet, and we will stitch it in a fun, summery color to coordinate!

don't forget, there is a great memorial day sale in our shop today - use coupon code 'memorial40' to receive 40% your order... works on everything in the shop, while supplies to the items last!

-E

//want to play... its a giveaway//

its memorial weekend... and its the perfect time for a giveaway - its summer! 
i'm giving away a free headband to one lucky winner this weekend......

to have a chance to win, head over to our etsy shop.  find your favorite headband (bloom, burst, plume, or linen) and let us know on our facebook page which one you would like, if you win! do this all by monday, may 30th by 11PM central. to increase your chances of winning, recommend your friends (friends that love design, photography, are getting married, or you think may love to follow us) to our facebook page.  if your recommended friend comments with their favorite headband, comment below them and let me know that they commented because of you. you can comment on 4 recommended friends' comments. that's 5 chances to win :)

the random winner will be announced june 3rd. i will add up all the comments and names, stick them in my new favorite hat, and pick one - old school style! good luck 

head over to the {shop} to glance around and feel free leave a comment below with any questions too.
-E