Last month I hosted a bridal shower for my best friend Emma. As her Matron of Honor, this was one of my “duties” I was really looking forward to. Emma has been my best friend since high school, we lived together all throughout college, and she remains the one person I tell everything.  She is incredibly smart, creative, and, for lack of a better word, so cool.

Here are some pictures from the fete:

The invitation + matching bridal shower game design:

I knew I wanted to design something for the favor. I came up with this:

I designed the graphic and used transfer paper to create little custom gift bags filled with “baby” scented soaps ; ) All placed in a mini suitcase, a nod to Emma and Bobby’s many travels together.

My next priority was the dessert/bar station. I knew I wanted to have a bellini station (assorted fruit purees mixed with champagne – yum) so I made this sign and coordinating stickers to label the fruit purees:

I even attempted an ombre cake, paired with music-themed dessert napkins (very appropriate for Emma and Bobby).

The whole setup:

Congratulations, Em. You are so special and I could not be happier for you than I am right now.

Love, Leen.

[Both dresses designed by our uber talented friend. Check out more from Suite 33 here.]

2011 was the best year of my life. It was the year I planned my wedding. The year I finally married the boy down the street. It was also the year my best friend planned her wedding. The year she married the boy down the street.

I cannot express how wonderful it was to share the entire wedding process with Gina. I often think about how blessed I am to have such an honest, kind, intelligent, and inspiring friend. (Yes, that many adjectives are completely necessary). Gina and her husband Jonny stood by Jon and I as we were married last June and three months later, on September 24, 2011, we had the honor of standing by them as they said, “I do”. How special is that?

When it came down to me deciding on a gift for this amazing couple, I asked Gina if I could design their wedding program and she accepted : ) At Gina’s bridal shower, our best friend Emma gave Gina custom artwork. The piece depicted a tree with the initials G and J carved into it. I thought it was sweet and I used it as my inspiration for the programs.

For the inside, I used the same tree graphic Gina and Jonny used on their invitations.

Gina and Jonny’s wedding was perfection. Their love is magnetic and their commitment to each other is profound. If anyone has ever doubted fate, soul mates, or destiny, just spend five minutes with these two.

Seriously, could she be any more beautiful?

No. She couldn’t.  I love you, Gina!

[All images via Rothwell Photography]

A lot of really exciting things have been happening for me lately. After many months of feeling unstimulated and uninspired, I decided to create something for myself (this blog). It began as a creative outlet for me to discuss an array of topics with you. A simple journal. But what I was unprepared for was how quickly this blog began to stand for something completely different: Me.

While it is fun to share my favorite tricks and trends, sharing my own personal creations is liberating. Graphic Design has been my favorite hobby for over a year, but that’s all it was, a hobby. Just a matter of weeks ago I began receiving graphic design requests. From large corporations to wedding invitations, I have lovingly accepted them all and I have never felt more professionally driven or excited! Unintentionally, this blog has turned my favorite pastime into a profession. (It’s pretty amazing what happens when you push yourself out of your comfort zone.)

This holiday season has been a fast-paced thrill for me. The highlight? Waking up on Christmas morning to a note from my supportive husband, “I know your talent will make Clarke Ross Designs, LLC (coming in 35 days or less) a major success. I love you more than anything.”

So I am now a working, incorporated graphic designer. I look forward to sharing all my designs with you very soon. (like, tomorrow!)

Love,

Kathleen Ross of Clarke Ross Designs, LLC ; )

Happy New Year, everyone!

I was able to ring in the new year at the beach. Four full days of warm weather, sunshine, and surrounded by people I love. It was a heavenly start to 2012. I love how rejuvenated and encouraged I feel each January. I have a lot of hope, drive, and big plans for the future!

Today our wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty. This is such a thrill for me! After obsessively following SMP everyday throughout our 11 month engagement, it is so surreal to see our big day on the front page!

When you’re planning your wedding, there is a latent pressure to plan it “perfectly”. You stalk the blogs, spend hours upon hours on Etsy, and create Pinterest boards. You don’t realize perfection so easy to achieve: it’s inevitable.

The most liberating feeling is waking up on the morning of your wedding and just knowing it will be perfect. It’s the day you marry your best friend, the day you start your own family, the day forever begins. No amount of rain (or in my case 100 degree weather) can affect that. So while I am really happy and honored to have my wedding featured, just seeing my pictures gives me the greatest satisfaction. They immediately remind me of every perfect emotion I felt that day, June 11, 2011.

Please take a look at our feature here.

A little advice for any soon-to-be-brides: Kristen Gardner Photography! No amount of gratitude is enough for Kristen. She is the best!