{ Style Play }

When I'm not behind the camera my second love is styling! I teamed up with a good friend and talented photographer Courtney Bruesch for these studio shots. We had so much fun planning this photo shoot and came away with great shots for our portfolios. Enjoy!

{Photography: Courtney Bruesch}
{Styling: EV}

{ Esty Love }

I've decided my etsy shop is in need of some love'n. So for the next week (Aug 27-Sept 3) I am offering free shipping and a free gift on orders to the US or Canada! Who says you can't get something for free?!

{ Fly By }

{Photo by EV}

It's one of those days today. My allergies are acting up..bad causing me to have a sneezing fit every 5 minutes, really. How unnecessary!

{ New Fabric Finds }

Just bought these two lovely fabrics from Etsy seller Above All Fabric. I can't wait to get started on my next sewing project with the help of these Amy Butler freebie hourglass pillow patterns! I heart Amy big time, can't you tell ;) Click on her pillow pattern photo to get started on your own!

{ 6 Things }

{Photo by EV}

{6 Things That Make Me Happy Right Now}

• Planning "dates" with my girlfriends.
• Sleeping with the windows open.
• New Brooks running shoes.
• Vanilla soy milk in coffee.
• Making progress on my Tee Quilt
• Receiving lovely encouragement from fellow bloggers!
  

Thank you to Christy over at Sweet Tidings for the blog award!
Her blog if filled with such sweet finds and encouraging words.
It amazes me how much time and effort people put into making there blogs an inviting place to stay a while and be inspired. Happy Monday to all!

{ Bucktown Arts Festival }

I'm excited to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon this weekend looking for handmade goodies at the Bucktown Arts Fest. They are celebrating 23 years, so I'm bound to find lovely stationary, greeting cards, and magnets and other great paper goods. I'm meeting up with a girlfriend for lunch then we are planning on swinging by the art fest together. I'll let you know what finds there are to be had next week! Until next week, happy summer weekend to you all!

{ Commercial Work }

These stills make me feel relaxed and calm, wouldn't you agree? Taken in the studio for my still life portfolio.

{Photos & Styling by EV}

{ Notebook & Lunch Labels }

Walking down the back to school aisle last night at Target got me to thinking about how much fun it was as a kid this time of year. Not the going back to school part (of course), but the school supply shopping trips will always hold sweet memories for me. Perhaps this is why a sharpened #2 pencil continues to be my writing utensil of choice and why I love to keep Crayola markers on hand, just in case a creative moment strikes (of course). I found these cute, fun and free downloads while roamimg the electronic aisles of the lovely Martha Stewart. The notebook labels are adorable, I had a fun afternoon printing and cutting them up with my niece and nephew not to long ago. And the lunch labels are sure to make any kiddos lunch extra special! Makes me want to go back to school...sorta. Enjoy.

{Photos by Martha Stewart}

{ Milk & Pastries }

{Photos & Styling by EV}

{ From the Archives }

I was organizing my drawers this weekend and came across a box of 4 x 5 film! I took these when I was in college (seems like only yesterday) and it made me long for semesters spent in the darkroom and all the lovely photos that developed. Enjoy these and more to come from the archives!

{Independance Grove Libertyville,IL}

{Independance Grove Libertyville,IL}

{Old School Gurnee, IL}

Blog announcement: I am in the process of designing my very own website!(thanks V for the inspiration and motivation) and spent the weekend coming up with concepts and ideas for the layout. I'm going to be a busy bee so my posts won't be as frequent for the next few weeks. But tune in soon for the reveal of my website, yay!

{ Dream Office Blueprint }

How fun to dream up a new space and furnish it with things that inspire you to keep your creative streak flowing! I love the mix of earthy browns aganist a clean white pallete with a slash of orange to add a little spice to the space. What colors inspire you to dream and create?

{ S H O P P I N G C A R T }
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{1}.Urban Outfitters / Coat Rack / $68
{2}.IKEA / Gregor Chair / $89
{3}.Delia's / Lamp / $52
{4}.WalMart / Bookcase / $39
{5}.CB2 / Graph Desk / $299
{6}.Urban Outfitters / Leaf Rug / $68

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{ Commercial Work }

I just received a heads up from my company's marketing rep to check out some of my work that was posted on their website, Omega Studios. They are some food shots I took a few years ago. I had fun styling and shooting these for my portfolio. Both shots were a play on color and texture.Yum!

{EV Photography}

{ Cottage Weekend }

Ahhh....I'm having a great time editing and reliving these photos from this past weekend. Our family weekend consisted of lots of water time via kayak, paddle boat or fishing boat. Puppy love, we had our two family dachshunds in tow, my first game of bags, dance party night, my sister cooking in the kitchen (a rare sight to behold), and building a sand village with the help of my niece and nephew. We agreed to make it a yearly family event. And this is one event that I was blessed to be a part of! Enjoy.

{Kottmeyer & Hansen cottage sign}

{cottage entrance}

{sat morning coffee}

{yummy way to start the weekend}

{cottage lush brush}

{pup at play}

{sand village}

{fishing net at rest}

{kayak in cove}

{dock wine}

{roasted corn on the cob}

{happy dinner plates}

{loungers take the night off}

{puppy love}

{Kottmeyer/Bartolone/Villacorta Crew}
{that's me in the green!}

{ Delicious Design Studio }

A big thank you to Delicious Design Studio for a great header freebie! What do you think?
I wish to someday be able to afford to have them design and build me the site of my dreams!
Check out there delightful blog and site designs.
Thanks again!

{ Walkabout 2008 }

Happy Monday everyone! It feels good to be back from a long weekend. (Stay tuned for photos to come). Its amazing how much good a change of pace and scenery can do for the soul! I feel alive (a little sleepy) but definitely energized to start the work week! I'll be busy this week getting my work ready for the Walkabout 2008 art show at the end of this month. I'm excited to show some of my new works as well as old favorites. But mostly I look forward to mingling with fellow artists and community. Check out the Walkabout 2008 blog for updates and information on the coming weekend events.