. oh my deer .

gold rush

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-06:00

I recently created this over-the-top gold backdrop for the Nashville Humane Association's Dinner with your Dog night, hosted by the country beauty queen, Kellie Pickler!

Though time intensive, the backdrop was super easy. All you need is gold foil tissue paper (I got this at Michael's in their wrapping aisle), muslin or other lightweight fabric, a hot glue gun and scissors! I cut my tissue paper in strips 4" high and fringed them with the scissors. Then, using the hot glue gun, start from the bottom and work your way up, layering the fringe. That's it!

photo credit // Rebecca Ward

inspiration : weekend at the lake

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000-06:00

Tec and I are pulling a shoot together and will be using the images above as inspiration. Doesn't it make you want spend the day sunbathing on a dock? Oh well; we've got a few more moths to wait for that here in Nashville. But I tell you what--spring can't come soon enough for this ol' gal.

And yep, I know this is the second post in a row that I've wished it wasn't winter. Obviously this is something I'm working through...

image source : left to right, top to bottom

here / here / here / unknown / here / here / here / unknown

lettering / lafleur weddings + simply bloom photography

2012-01-10T09:00:00.002-06:00

Beach breezes and warm sand. Doesn't this shoot make you want to pack your bags and buy a one-way ticket to Maui?

Thanks to the ever talented Jill La Fleur for asking me to be a part of this beautifully breezy shoot for the Hawaii workshop put on by Simply Bloom Photography.

kinfolk / vol II

2012-01-06T12:00:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year, Dearies!

I thought I'd start out twenty twelve and end this week with some beautiful images Tec shot for Kinfolk's second volume, which came out a few weeks ago. If you haven't seen the hard copy yet, do yourself a favor and pick one up; you'll be inspired by page after page of simple settings, easy gatherings and fulfilling food.

This shoot, entitled "Winter's Rest" was written by Elise of Pennyweight, styled by myself and Elise, and shot by Tec.

WINNER :: cd giveaway

2011-12-19T11:30:00.001-06:00

Lucky #11 was the winner this year, and that gift goes straight to a gal I know in real life, Miss Aimee of Made In The Fold! Here's what Aimee is most thankful for:

i'm thankful for friends and family who love me and to give things to this year (and for your mamma!) :)

I've gotten to know Aimee through my mom (who leads a discipleship group Amiee is involved in) and she is nothing but incredibly kind, intentional and talented.

Thank you all for such sweet and meaningful responses. I'd be lying if I didn't get teary nearly every time I sat down to read them.

Praying for sweet memories, kind words and full bellies this holiday season.

xo xo xo

christmas cd :: GIVEAWAY

2011-12-15T16:30:00.000-06:00

It's that time again, dearlings! I had so much fun putting together a Christmas mix last year that I couldn't wait to make a new one for 2011!

This mix is full of sweet Christmas and holiday themed songs that'll warm your heart and tickle your toes. (And, for the record, there are two unreleased Sufjan Stevens holiday songs on this mix. You heard me. Jump on this!)

To enter the give away, just leave a comment below telling what you're most thankful for this Christmas season. It was such a gift for me to be able to read all that you're grateful for last year; I can't wait to read more praises of thankfulness.

Like last year, I'll randomly generate a number and announce the winner Monday morning, so get your comments in before then for a chance to get your little paws on our Holiday Tunes Mix. If you're leaving your comment anonymously, please leave your email address so that I have a way to reach you! Otherwise, check back Monday morning!

xo!

before & after / built-in shelf

2011-12-15T09:00:00.001-06:00

Showing you the "before" picture of the built-in in our bedroom kind of makes me feel like I left the lock on the dressing room door undone and you walked in on me trying on a bathing suit--it's that level of embarrassing. Yep, that's a sock in the lower left corner. And uh huh, those sure are vitamins, rolls of film and chapstick on the fourth shelf. I mean, we'd really given up.

I love the idea of this built-in, but the shelves were such an awkward height for us. It took a couple of years, but I finally found it in me to revamp the space and I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.

I'm not sure how helpful this is for you, but if you're interested in the simple steps I took to redo the shelves, here you go!

After cleaning off and wiping down the shelves, I removed them from their brackets so that I had the empty shell to back with the paper I found at Paper Source. (The whole shelf took about two rolls with lots of leftovers.) If you're not impatient like I am, the next step could be to tape off and protect the inside of the shelf where you're not papering so that when you spray the adhesive on the back of the built-in, it doesn't get everything else sticky in the process. But clearly that was one more step that I didn't want to take, so I just wiped the inside of the built-in once the paper was up. Anyway, start spraying the adhesive in small areas and place the paper as you go. It's not a permanent hold at first, so you have some play room to adjust the paper. Since the roll didn't cover the entire height of my shelf, I used the shelves as markers to begin a new sheet of paper so that the seam wasn't apparent. The fun part was putting the shelves back in, but only half of them so that there was more space between for our books to fit vertically. PS--The two white, ceramic horse pieces, the elephant and the blue urn are all from either Ross or TJ Maxx.

MORE new work in the shop

2011-12-05T12:00:00.003-06:00

1/ available as a 5x7 card
2/ 10x10 caldear : 2012
3/ available as a 5x7 card or 8x10 print
4/ available as an 8x10 print
5/ available as a 5x7 card or 8x10 print
6/ available as a 5x7 card

Here are a few more goodies from the show this past weekend! Pick up that thank you card that's two months late or grab one to flirt with that bangin' gent that serves you your latte juuuuust right.

new work in the shop : holidays

2011-12-05T09:15:00.003-06:00

1/ available as an 8x10 print or a 5x7 card, with envelope
2/ available as an 8x10 print or 5x7 card with envelope
3/ available as a 5x7 card

It was so great to see several of you at Porter Flea this past weekend! I've now made the prints and cards available through my Etsy; head on over there to take a gander!

SNEAK PEEK : porter flea : TOMORROW

2011-12-02T09:00:00.000-06:00

If you find yourself in the Nashville area tomorrow, don't forget about the artisan market Porter Flea!

East Park Recreation Center / 600 Woodland Street / Nashville, Tennessee

Shopping is from 12:00-8:00pm. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes for the DJs spinnin' sweet tunes, an appetite for the array of food trucks on site and cash money! (Cash is the universal currency since some vendors will have credit card machines and others won't.)

See you dames there!

2012 calendar : watercolor wash

2011-11-30T11:00:00.000-06:00

With 2012 just a month away (how is that possible?) I thought it was time to formally roll out the carpet for next year's calendar!

Head on over to my Etsy listing to pick up one up!

now offering : custom stamps

2011-11-25T09:00:00.002-06:00

So, can we officially start talking about holiday gift giving now that our Thanksgiving turkey has sedated us with its tryptophan?

I recently cranked out a couple stamps for a few loved ones in my life to be wrapped up and placed under their tree. Let me know if you'd be interested in your own address or logo stamp or if you'd like to gift one to a dear of your own! You can email me at ohmydeerhandmades@gmail.com

thanksgiving thankfulness

2011-11-24T09:00:00.002-06:00

thankful / tiny treasures

2011-11-23T09:00:00.006-06:00

photo via here, by Jose Villa

H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G W E E K T O Y O U .

2012 has been a tougher year than normal for me to be thankful. Death and sadness and mourning and gray have covered season after season for our family. Being thankful in the midst of the depths is no easy task. But I've tried to practice something new this year--when I feel myself sinking into the sadness, I stop and say thank you. Maybe it's for something I never think to say thanks for; maybe it's something I say thanks for a lot. But here's the thing: it's hard to stay in a dark spot when you start enumerating all you do have.

I know this may sound like something easier said than done if you're in a well of sorrow. But try it once. How about this: I have a bed that keeps me warm at night. I have food; plenty to fill my belly and keep me well. I have fresh water that doesn't make me sick. I saw the sunset yesterday and the sun rose this morning. It's the little things that bring me back to reality. What about you? What are you thankful for today?

Here's an excerpt from a book I haven't read but that my mom sent my way this week. I hope you find it as sweet and fragrant as a bouquet of tiny treasures.

As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way. I lovingly go before you and plant little pleasures to brighten your day. Look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one. When you reach the end of the day, you will have gathered a lovely bouquet. Offer it up to Me with a grateful heart. Receive My Peace as you lie down to sleep, and with thankful thoughts playing a lullaby in your mind.

-an excerpt from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

pictures / design*sponge book tour

2011-11-22T09:00:00.001-06:00

Eight hundred and ten strips of paper later, the backdrop I created for the Design*Sponge book tour party in Nashville was ready to use! Thanks again to the lovely Grace and Amy for visiting Music City USA and for making us feel so special. To see more from the photobooth, visit here and here!

And as a side note, regarding the glitter accessories seen in the pics--I have a love/hate relationship with glitter: I love the sparkle and sass but I hate the unending mess that invariably comes off on everything you touch. However, my dears, I think I found the solution. After glittering the masks and hats for the backdrop, I sprayed them with a hearty coat of Rust-Oleum's Clear Gloss and set them infront of a fan to dry. Knock on wood, but I think that's the key, ladies and germs! Let me know if you try coating a glittered project yourself and if it worked for you!

DIY : herb infused olive oil

2011-11-10T13:30:00.000-06:00

In anticipation of the holiday season upon us, I thought I'd share a little handmade, homemade gift that I'll be giving this year. (Sorry Mom and Shannon. One Christmas present already ruined for you.)

Grab the above listed ingredients plus olive oil and a container to hold your concoction. (I picked up a package of two oil dispensers for $4.99 at my local Ross.) Then... and this is the hard part... put all the ingredients the bottle. I know, I should have warned you that this was a labor intensive present. But who cares that it's insanely easy--it's also insanely good! Now, who's bringing over the garlic loaf?

VENDOR : porter flea

2011-11-07T11:15:00.000-06:00

Let's start this week out with some fun news, shall we?

December 3rd, you can find lil' old Oh My Deer at the Porter Flea Handmade Market! C'mon down to the East Park Community Center for holiday goodies from an array of vendors, offering everything from accessories to printed goods to flowers and clothing! This will be a great opportunity to pick up some locally handmade gifts for those that have been good on your holiday shopping list.

See you lovelies there!

design*sponge book tour / nashville

2011-10-18T10:30:00.002-05:00

If you're in or around the Land of Country Music come November 15th, you should probably get your rear end down to the Design*Sponge book tour party! Come mingle with us and show those pretty Design*Sponge girls how friendly and hospitable we Southerners are.

I'll be creating a 'photobooth' backdrop for you to document your good ol' times at the party, thanks to the Smilebooth team! I can't wait to show you what I've been cooking up...

Hope to see you there!

pops of pins in ochre

2011-10-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

This honey-mustard gem of a pin was made for a dame that loves a good accessory. Let me know if you'd like one of your own--you can customize your fabrics and colors to be just about anything your little heart desires.

design / jordan byers : face + hair

2011-09-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

As if I didn't brag enough about my family on this ol' blog, I'm at it again. We recently spruced up the look of my sister's blog and I thought I'd share our collaboration--her handiwork in all things beauty related paired with a little bit of illustration and design work on my end.

Head on over to her blog to see some of the work she's done recently with Jose Villa, Joy Thigpen and Emily Newman of Once Wed. That's a powerhouse of talent if you ask me!

If you're in the Nashville area and you'd like to schedule an appointment with Jordan for hair, beauty, makeup, etc, call her at 615-649-0501. She's also available for on-site work and will travel. And no, I'm not her rep, though I feel I may have missed my calling...

fall / falling

2011-09-23T09:00:00.065-05:00

image via Rose & Crown

“You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintery light. But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen.”

— Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

To be completely vulnerable, this passage sums up my feelings exactly: I dread the fall and winter. In my experience they've brought sickness and sadness and mourning. I try to find romance in the changing leaves, bundled clothing, fires burning and perfect weather, but I can't shake the heaviness of leaving green grass and all being right with the world.

So this fall, I'm hoping to turn a new leaf and to fall in love with a season that makes me so eager to see the promises of spring. Maybe I'll love fall for more than that this year; maybe I'll love it for the uniqueness of its beauty. This image of loving something for the mear sake of its creation reminds me of my favorite quote from an Anne Lamott book, Bird by Bird.

"What finally helped me was an image from a medieval monk, Brother Lawrence, who saw all of us as trees in winter, with little to give, stripped of leaves and color and growth, whom God loves unconditionally, anyway. My priest friend Margaret, who works with the aged and who shared this image with me, wanted me to see that even though these old people are no longer useful in any traditional meaning of the word, they are there to be loved unconditionally, like trees in winter."

Here's to us loving each other like trees in winter all year round.

peaches and cream

2011-08-29T09:00:00.003-05:00

The fine ladies over at The Bride's Guide (Martha Stewart's wedding blog) asked me to to be a part of their Peaches and Cream Series that ran last week! Head on over to the post to see more from this collection of all things peachy.

Also, if you're interested in purchasing this one-of-a-kind piece (the flowers are vintage millinery pieces and the veil is made of tulle and netting), you can visit my Etsy. In The Bride's Guide post, the flower looks peachier than it actually is. The images above show the flower's true color--a rich blush.

Many thanks to my sister, Jordan, for modeling and to my huz-bone, Tec, for taking the pics.

summer swept

2011-08-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

All images by Tec Petaja

I'm sorry for the lack of life on this ol' blog. Tec and I have been going non-stop since spring and it has finally caught up to me. I've been trying to be very intentional about reconnecting with relationships, work and myself these past few months and my postings here haven't seem to fit very neatly in that package.

But all of my absence has been for really, really good reasons. Exhibit A: our recent trip to Tuscany. The images above were shot by my every dashing, ever talented husband last month. Head on over to his blog to see a lot more from the trip.

I'll see y'all again real soon. xo

pinterest, please

2011-07-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

OK. Confession: I ended up being the last person on the planet to jump on the Pinterest bandwagon. And I'll be honest with you--it took me a while to care enough to even be interested. But maybe it's the heat that's trapping me indoors or the fact that whenever we're home for more than a week we feel the need to redecorate every room, but I've fallen in love with Pinterest. I have. Hard. My favorite feature is that it links your image back to its original local; no more wondering where the image came from or being unable to give credit back to the source!

Enough gushing. Do you have a Pinterest? If so, leave your name or a link to your page in the comment section below! I'd love to have more lovelies to follow. Here's a link to my Pinterest, if you're pinterested... I mean interested. Sorry...

Happy pinning!

new work : peachy pink

2011-07-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

I realized that it'd been ages since I'd posted any recent paper goods on the ol' blog. So there she is: lots of pinks, peaches and papery goodness.

I don't know what's in the air that is making me and so many of my clients crave anything in this color family. I think that for most of us, even if we try to hid it, we've got a pink streak in us deep down.

Happy Monday!

surprises

2011-07-22T09:00:00.001-05:00

We had a successfully surprising birthday party for a sweet friend this week. The fact that the party was a month after his actual birthday probably helped.

His wife planned the entire event while on the road and the night couldn't have gone more beautifully. We pooled all of our glassware, candles, linens, lights, decor and furniture so that the only expenses were the succulents and a few small accessories... like the customized fortune cookies that held sayings in them typical of our honorary guest!

Don't you just love a pretty backyard hang with good food, drinks and people you love?

babies, books, bunting and... vol II

2011-07-11T09:00:00.003-05:00

...a nursery!

Remember this post, where I talked about all the goodies we created for my sweet friend's baby shower? Well, her little nugget, Isla, was born healthy and beautiful April 27th! Kellie incorporated all the fun DIY projects from the shower into the nursery and I can't imagine it turning out any sweeter. Make sure you go over to Kellie's blog to see more images of the entire nursery so you can see how well it all came together! Well done, sister!

Images by Katherine Holly Photography

granny's a comin' to town

2011-07-08T11:30:00.002-05:00

Isn't ol' Benita Jean a dame?! If she had a computer, knew how to 'get on' the Internet or if looking at a computer screen didn't make her nauseous (I don't make that up), she might just kill me for posting these pictures of her. But come on!

My sweet Granny is coming to town! I'm going to pick her up from her perfect little home in East Tennessee and bring her back to Nashville for a long weekend. (Even though, as she says, she's perfectly capable of driving to Nashville by herself. It's true. She is. Maybe I'm just making up an excuse to have her in the car for four hours all to myself.) My folks are coming up from Atlanta, too, so I might just explode with so many people I love, all in one city. My cup runneth over and over and over...

custom corn hole

2011-07-06T09:00:00.001-05:00

Image credit: Tec Petaja

I've had several inquiries about custom corn hole games since Leah and Jon's wedding included one that mimicked the invite that I'd created for them. I didn't make or paint the corn hole set they used, but they sure do have someone crafty and good with a hammer on their side!

Recently, I teamed up with my dad to collaborate on the creation of custom corn hole sets. The image above is from our first venture. Our method is this: I create the design that will go on the boards and then my dad makes the boards and paints the design. Oh! And I make the bags that go along with the game.

The tricky part about all of this is transportation. But if you're interested in working together for something along these lines, email me and we'll work something out!

the fourth / twenty eleven

2011-07-04T09:00:00.008-05:00

You go, Jackie O!

Weather permitting, we're spending today on a double decker pontoon boat (complete with a slide off the second story, obviously) on a man-made lake with lots of friends, food, spirits and sun.

Here's to celebrating the fourth the way Jackie would be proud of.

1/sunglasses . 2/camera . 3/photo . 4/swimsuit . 5/towels . 6/bag

american flags, lake water and fireworks

2011-07-01T09:00:00.002-05:00

image found here

To all you U.S. friends, have a safe and splashing Fourth of July weekend!

My perfect day would be spent on the water with friends, eating sliders, pasta salad and sipping on something sweet. What are you up to this weekend?

before & after / tacky lamp

2011-06-30T09:00:00.008-05:00

First things first--I have a deep love for all things tacky. The quirkiness of something that's so hideous makes me love it just a little more; it's sort of like a pug or a hairless cat. (No offense to those of you out there that own either animal.)

I found this gloriously ugly lamp at Goodwill for $6. It sat in my basement, waiting for a spot to shine its gaudy little self for a year or so until I realized how badly I needed more light on my desk. A few coats of spray paint and a $30 lamp shade later, and I've got a one-of-a-kind lamp that could almost pass as pretty.

early summer softness

2011-06-29T09:00:00.004-05:00

image sources: 1, 2 & 5 / 3 / 4

father time

2011-06-27T09:00:00.003-05:00

My sweet pops.

I feel awful that I didn't have a post up for him in regards to father's day. We had a terrible family situation come up suddenly and everything was put on hold. So here I am, a week or so late, with my Father's Day entry. XO

My dad was the first man I ever loved and who loved me in return. His love for me, my sister, my mom and our family paved the way for my future as a wife.

His example taught me to expect respect from men,

feel prized and beautiful in all situations,

laugh hard often,

be tender towards all

and to never take yourself too seriously.

He walked me down the aisle (and yes, I know I look like I'm about to explode in the picture above, but the emotion is just so sweet), but he'll still clean my car or fill it up with gas when I come home for a visit. As Salt N' Pepa would say, "What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man."

t h r e e

2011-06-07T17:00:00.004-05:00

Image: Jose Villa

Happy t h r e e y e a r s of learning to

live together

say sorry together

laugh together

give and take together

love together.

saturday sipping

2011-06-04T11:00:00.000-05:00

It's another scorcher here in the south, so why not bring back the ol' Magic Juice we posted on Design Sponge last year? I mean, nothing says summer like fresh fruit, juice and a bit of gin. Don't drink? Omit the gin and replace it with seltzer water or Sprite for a refreshing spritzer!

M E T H O D O L O G Y

Dice, then muddle fruits and mint

Pour gin into fruit mixture and let sit for 10-15 minutes

Strain over lemonade and ice

Garnish with fruit slice or mint leaf

home lust

2011-06-02T09:00:00.002-05:00

Photo credit: Tec Petaja

Tec recently photographed this beautifully charming home of designer Sara Hicks Malone. The images are featured in this season's Anthology Magazine which is being sold online and in Anthropologie stores in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.

I love the juxtaposition of the bright white and the simple lines of the furniture with the bold patterns and colors of her accessories and artwork. It's true. I'm having a lust affair with this home.

sheet sunlight

2011-05-31T08:00:00.002-05:00

Good mornin' to ya.

Photo taken with my iPhone and the CrossProcess app.

today's remembrance

2011-05-30T09:00:00.004-05:00

Photo via Peter Hovey's Polaroid Project

Remembering those that have paid the ultimate price for freedom today.

I'd love for you to take a minute and read something that hits close to home. My brother-in-law lost his oldest brother in July 2003 to an IED. Here's a post his other brother, Milam, wrote last year concerning the death of their big brother, Joshua Byers, entitled God is My Refuge.

xo xo

trashy romance novels + underwater cameras

2011-05-26T11:30:00.000-05:00

Tec and I recently returned home from here. It was paradise and work, all rolled into one. Truthfully, it was a lot of paradise and some work. It was sort of an early anniversary trip, and it was fantastic.

I finished the books I brought for the beach before I got off the plane, so I resorted to grocery store romance novels. I'd never read one, so I went for the trashiest I could find. Go big or go home, right? OK, judge me. They were the first two I'd ever read, and probably not the last two. Sometimes it's nice to have mindless, easy reads. It's kind of like watching reality TV or a sappy movie, I think: you get to turn your brain off and just enjoy the laziness of it all.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. We took all of your advice--we drove the road to Hana (and instead of turning around and driving the road back, we kept driving south and saw some of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen; images to come), ate at Mama's Fish House, ate fresh pineapple and coconut and snorkeled. Thanks again!

ostrich feathers and sparkle : atlanta weddings

2011-05-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Jeremy Harwell recently sent over a few gorgeous images he took for the Atlanta Weddings book. The piece this bride is wearing, Forsythia, was from the "Flowers of Spring" one-of-a-kind set that I put out last year.

Isn't this bride just flawless?

mother nature

2011-05-08T09:00:00.015-05:00

Mother Nature is the goofy name I call my mama.

We're that cheesy.

There aren't words to express my love and adoration for my sweet mama. I'll give it a try, but you'll only really know her goodness if you're able to spend time in her presence.

Her spirit is full of all things gentle and kind,

her cheeks are round with laughter,

her heart is full of compassion and wisdom,

her ears are open to listen,

her eyes are wide with tears ready to shed for your joy or pain.

And yes, she could easily pass as Tina Fey's twin sister.

Happy Mother's Day mama / Deb / Deb Cakes / mamacita / Mother Nature / mom.

aloha maui

2011-05-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

Tec and I will soon be traveling to Maui for some work, sun and surf. It'll be my first time to Maui; have you been? Where should we go and what should we see?

Tec spent a few months on Maui back in his single days and is excited to show me around "one of the most beautiful places on earth." What do you think?

images via Marina Golubova

DIY : faux wood burn

2011-05-04T09:00:00.007-05:00

Last month, our sweet friends Emily and Joy of Once Wed trekked their way to Nashville to collaborate on a couple shoots with Tec.

One of my assignments was to create a wood burned monogram on a plywood aisle runner, fashioned after invitations they were having especially made for the shoot. No problem, right? I mean, as Joy kept saying, "Boy scouts do it all the time." And in true artist fashion, we all underestimated the work that would go into creating a 3'x3' wood burnt monogram with a quarter inch hot metal tip. It took me all of two minutes to switch gears and tools to a brown, water based marker for the lettering and shoe polish to give it a seared look.

Don't need a faux wood burned aisle runner any time soon? Strange, I thought we all needed one of those. Well, then try the same technique for a customized table top or wall hanging. Just make sure it's protected from water since the marker will run!

For more images from the shoot, check here and here.

Images by Tec Petaja / Wooden Invitation by Bullfrog Laserworks

real wedding : andrea + thad

2011-05-02T11:00:00.000-05:00

Andrea and Thad has such a stunning, colorful Southern affair. Thanks for letting me lend a little something purdy for your hair, ladies!

Photos by Our Labor of Love

risen

2011-04-24T09:00:00.003-05:00

Praises. Amen. Hallelujah.

light

2011-04-15T11:30:00.000-05:00

The evening light came poring through our living room window so beautifully last night.

Happy weekend.

happy two-year, sweet home

2011-04-14T15:15:00.003-05:00

Two years ago ~~today~~ yesterday, a tiny green house became our home.

We've had sweet and somber moments here:

We've cried a lot but laughed much more.

We've shared time with friends

and stayed inside all day.

We've planted and mowed

and ripped up and sewed.

We've tried our best to care for this home

and for each other.

And I said this last year, but it still rings true:

Happy two-years of being our home, Tiny House. We know you've had plenty of owners in your 106 years of life, but know that we think you're something special.

PS--Yes, our grass needs mowing.

sneak peek / office redo

2011-04-11T09:00:00.009-05:00

I thought I'd share a little sneak peek into my newly renovated office. It's no longer a spare bedroom {slash} office {slash} studio {slash} catch-all room {slash} walk-through-to-get-to-the-bathroom-room!

Now it's just an office, studio and the room you walk through to get to the bathroom...

I'm planning on sharing before and after pics pretty soon, so stay tuned!

lilacs + peonies

2011-04-08T12:30:00.001-05:00

Images via 29BlackStreet

Our yard is full of flowers and shrubs that are responsible for my love of Spring.

Our 100-something-year-old home has bushes lining the house that remind me of my great-grandmother's back yard: they're big and drapey and tuck you in when you walk between them. Our lilac bush blooms outside our dining room window and its fragrance needs to be bottled up for year-round use.

We have peonies, too. A couple Falls ago, my grandfather and grandmother came across some peonies in a neighbor's trashcan who'd mistaken them as weeds. They dug them out of the trash and saved them for our new home's yard. Last year, when they should have bloomed for the first time, they were squelched by Nashville's flood. So this year, watching them bud and begin to bloom has brought me such sweet memories of him, in the form of my favorite flower.

Happy weekend. Happy Spring.

featured : county-faire

2011-04-05T12:30:00.001-05:00

The ever-so-wonderful Katie Moore has done it again. As if her design work wasn't enough to make you fall head over heels for her aesthetic, she's recently launched County Faire: a fashion blog that features an entire outfit--head to toe--all for under $100! I've mentioned it before, but for a girl like me who reveres a clearance rack more than any designer label, this is right up my alley.

Today, Katie is featuring an outfit I pulled together for County Faire.

Oh, wow Chelsea. How shocking. You came up with a gray ensemble...

Anyway, head on over there to see what kind of goodies she and other contributors have come up with. And it's not just for the ladies; she's got dudes covered, too.

feathers in her hair

2011-04-04T13:00:00.000-05:00

Tec recently ran across this image set he took a year or so ago that had fallen through the cracks. The hair adornment I made for this shoot was made from a vintage brooch and lots and lots of pretty feathers.

A big thanks to my beautiful sister, Jordan, for the hair and makeup.

oui, oui went to paris

2011-03-31T09:00:00.001-05:00

Back in late February oui took a trip to lovely, lovely Paris with some new and old friends to do a lot of work and and quite a bit of play. We traveled over with The Civil Wars for Tec to photograph them and for a music video, directed and shot by Becky Fluke.

Our apartment was right across the street from the Eiffel Tower, and even though you might think it's touristy and predictable, I was blown away. C'mon. What girl hasn't dreamt of seeing the Eiffel Tower? And did you know it sparkles at night? My goodness... talk about dreamy.

Here's a little 8mm video of our trip, set to the lovely sounds of Edith Piaf singing La Vie En Rose.

signs of spring

2011-03-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

See! The winter is past...

Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come,

the cooing of doves is heard in our land.

Song of Solomon 2:11 & 12

With the tragedy occurring relentlessly in Japan and throughout the world, it seems silly for me to continue with my scheduled post. So, instead, here's a sign of hopefulness in the form of a winter blossom that I look forward to every year. Our yard never looks as promising as it does when this plum tree blossoms and reminds me that Spring and the newness that she brings are right around the corner.

I encourage all of us to keep those that are struggling for the necessities and for healing in our prayers and to find ways to help when we can. This is a great site that directs you to honorable charities that will be conscientious with your money.

babies, books, bunting and...

2011-03-11T09:00:00.000-06:00

...terrariums.

Dang. I so badly wanted to use another "b" word.

This past weekend was the baby shower for the ever beautiful and creative Kellie of Edible Trampolines. The week before the shower, a bunch of us got together to create the decorations for the shower that could double as decor for little Isla Harper's nursery.

The hanging books were the big undertaking, but only because they take quite a bit of time. But the process of folding the pages is so mindless that it can be worked on while you're indulging in your guilty-pleasure-TV. Here's how they're done:

Use a paperback book that's about 2 inches thick. Trashy "grocery store" romance novels are the perfect size. Ha! Play around with folding the pages in different ways. (i.e., fold all the top corners in towards the center or fold one page up and fold the next page down, etc.) After you've folded all the pages, rip the front cover off if you want to hang it like you see above. (If you want to lay the piece out as decoration, fold the covers as well and you're done!) Then, lay whatever rope or twine you'll be using to hang the books inside the binding and slather quite a bit of hot-glue in and around the outer binding and onto the rope. Then quickly, while the glue is still hot, wrap the book around the rope so that the outer binding fully encloses the rope. Voila!

Also, I want to give credit where credit is due:

The gorgeous terrariums were created by Kellie's sister, Desiree. If you're interested in your own custom terrarium by Des, feel free to email her at desireepillsbury@gmail.com. Also, a big thanks to the beautiful Missy for taking the lovely photos of the shower!

Happy Friday. Happy weekend. Happy almost-spring.

shop instillation : i see london

2011-03-09T09:00:00.001-06:00

I see London, I see France, I see...

a really beautiful store.

My sweet friend Meg owns, co-owns and runs two beautiful sister boutiques here in Nashville: Habit, an accessible yet chic women's clothing store, and right next door is I See London, one of the sweetest and sexiest lingerie stores around.

Here's the latest I See London instillation I created. I think the embroidery hoops and the ring of paper chains would also be a beautiful addition to a nursery. Or, if you were super ambitions, imagine how gorgeous it would be to get married under a massive canopy of paper chains in all sizes! Ohhhh...

pretty paperwhites + pebbles

2011-03-07T09:00:00.005-06:00

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

After being in ol' Pairs (but say it like Pair-eee) for the past week, I came home to one of my lovely paperwhite bulbs blooming. What a sweet sign of spring.

These guys are a hearty breed of bulbs and they grow pretty much anywhere, any time. This bulb was planted on February 20th, so this is what it does in about two weeks. But I planted four bulbs in another container and they're nowhere close to blooming. (I may have let the roots get too dry while we were gone for the week.) So play around with what you plant them in, what you plant them on and where you place them in regards to sunlight. (Paperwhites can grow in dirt, pebbles, rocks, shells--you name it!) Here's a link to growing them with a bit more info.

Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors,

there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.

-Rainer Maria Rilke

jose villa : fine art wedding book

2011-03-01T08:00:00.001-06:00

(image via Jose Villa)

Hey now-now! I know those people!

Jose Villa's book, Fine Art Weddings, features beautiful insight and imagery into the world of wedding photography. The book releases March 29th but it can be pre-ordered off a number of sites if you want to make sure your hands get a copy of this little gem.

And PS--We're beyond stoked to be included in a collection of such beautiful images. We haven't seen the book in person, but apparently there is a pic or two of my handsome husband gracing the pages. Oh-la-la!

BHLDN

2011-02-15T11:30:00.000-06:00

I know that I have to be the one-millionth person to comment or post about the new bridal line, BHLDN. And though I'm not entirely sure how to pronounce it yet (it's derived from the Dutch word "to keep"), I'm loving all the soft pretties they've put up for grabs. It's along the same price point as something you'd expect from the creators of Anthropologie, and for a girl like me who follows up a compliment on an article of clothing with how great a deal I got on it, BHLDN is a bit pricey. But if you're in the market for a sweet treasure for your wedding day, I would suggest spending a little extra moolah on something special that will last as a keepsake to pass down the line. No, money doesn't always equal quality, but I have to believe something from this line would get you your money's worth. How could something this beautiful not be worth it?

Greenbow Lace Gown : $600 / Reflection Necklace : $220 / Cherry Blossom Headwrap : $350 / Chantilly Romper : $290 / Deco Beaded Clutch : $180 / Tulle Era Dress : $2600 / Zinnia Gown : $180 / Brocade D'Orsay Heels : $350 / 100 Pearls Necklace : $172 / Primrose Bolero : $220 / Mystic Vine Hairpin : $560 / Vanity Table Peignoir : $250

two hearts in the snow

2011-02-14T09:00:00.006-06:00

This is about love, first and foremost. It's also about severe mercy. In Sheldon Vanauken's book A Severe Mercy, he speaks about love and the loss of it. Through his life's story he reveals the truth that love will be lost, one way or the other: either through falling out of love or death. Death, in his opinion, is the merciful way to lose love. With that being said, we go on, into the severe mercy of it all.

A little over a month ago, my world was rocked by the relatively sudden death of my most precious grandfather.

The details don't matter. What does matter is this: that he lived a long life, well lived and surrounded by those that he loved and that adored him in return. He left us with a legacy of loving your family well and intentionally, caring for your neighbor, giving to those that are in need and living a life full of integrity, loyalty and honor.

I'm not sure if it gets much better than that.

That being said, his death was no easy pill to swallow. Selfishly, we miss him and wish he were still here with us. But we rest--we have to rest-- in knowing that his body is whole now; that he is living a new life of perfect eternity. How grateful I am for this.

I know that posting something so personal and so seemingly sad may seem like an odd choice for Valentine's Day. But I want to share the sweetest story of love and comfort that came from our time of brokenness.

It was this past January and it had been snowing for days upon days on end. Even for the mountains of East Tennessee, this was unusual. My grandmother, who embodies Spring, kept saying, "This would be so much easier if the sun would just come out... if it would just stop snowing." We all agreed; sometimes you just need a little sunshine.

On the morning of the funeral, the flakes continued to fall and the raw weather echoed our heart's condition. We arrived at the funeral home to have our last viewing before the casket was closed. While the rest of us were shuffling our feet and sniffling our noses, my sweet mother, who inherited her mother's essence of April and May, reached a crumbling point. She snuck off to the window of the funeral home to compose herself and pray for extraordinary strength and comfort. When she lifted her head, she opened her eyes to this: two hearts in the snow.

She came racing into the room, exclaiming what she saw. We hurried to the window and stood in amazement of what we were looking at! In a time so heavy with grief, we were given the sweetest, most creative gift of compassion.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

What makes this story even sweeter is the marriage that my grandparents had for more than 58 years. Over Christmas my grandparents were asked what the secret to such a long marriage was. My granny said, "Oh, well, we're friends!" My grandfather, without skipping a beat said, "We just love each other. We don't argue or fuss--we never have! We just love each other!" A few short weeks after this conversation, we stood around his casket before it was closed for the last time. My grandmother leaned into him and whispered, "See you later, Sweetheart."

Amen. Amen. Hallelujah.

So today, on this day that celebrates love, inspired by the Greatest Love of all, I say we challenge ourselves to be bold with our affection, strive to show glimmers of love to all, compassionate to those who are difficult to love and cherish our time with our nearest and dearest.

ex-oh-ex-oh-ex-oh

xoxoxo

set design : the civil wars

2011-02-07T10:12:00.002-06:00

This past week, I had the privilege of creating the set for my dear friends, The Civil War's CD release show here Nashville.

First off, if you haven't been around iTunes to see that they've topped the overall albums list at #1 since their release of "Barton Hollow" last week and taken a cue from that, do yourself a favor and go get it... like, now. I promise that their romantic harmonies and melodies (those are the right words, right...?) will make your heart melt and your body sway.

We took a cue from this chuppah over on Once Wed to create something delicate and dreamy. (The chuppah Joy created for Once Wed was made from vellum; this backdrop is constructed out of muslin, kraft paper, netting and 600ish pages of The Once and Future King stapled end to end. Sorry my-Sophomore-year-of-highschool-English-teacher.)

And a big 'thanks' goes out to my man Tec for all the images. He shot all their promo pics for this album, too. Homeboy is just too good.

foxy lady : st. valentine's day

2011-02-05T09:00:00.002-06:00

So this post was intended to encapsulate a night out with your man... but who am I kidding? The running joke is that I dress up more for a night out with my girls than I do for a date with my husband. Am I the only one?

So here's to feeling good, having fun and real love.

1) Motel Marsha Sweetheart Dress (I really--like really--love this dress. I have no occasion to ever wear it, but if I did, boy-oh-boy....) // 2) Open Heart Ring // 3) House of Holland Bandanna Suspender Tight // 4) Kate Spade New York Glitter Emanuelle Clutch //5) RGB Nail Polish // 6) "Love You" Necklace // 7) Lancome in Absolute Rouge // 8) Dragon Heart Red and Gold Shoes

cutie pie : st. valentine's day

2011-02-04T09:00:00.000-06:00

Though I don't think I've ever celebrated Valentine's Day in an über romantic way (I'm more of an overhead-lights-on-while-eating, comfort food and sweatpants type of girl), I do love everything that comes along with Valentine's day: shiny things, delicate flowers, good-smellin' pretties, cards to those you love and lovin' on people that know you well.

With that being said, today and tomorrow I'll be sharing a couple different takes on February 14th. Today's board is perfect for a night out with the girls, a night in with your gent or for no reason at all. Hey--I'm not one to judge glitter and pretty things.

So here's to celebrating St. Valentine's Day with nothing more than love in our hearts--love for friends and family, love for community, love for each other.

1) "Can We Shall We" by Rob Ryan via Lottie Loves // 2) Paper Heart Garland by Upon a Fold via Lottie Loves // 3) Hearts Tights // 4) Sparkling Magenta Nail Polish // 5) I Heart Umbrellas // 6) Floral Heart Ring // 7) Chocolate "I Love You" Hearts // 8) Heart Shoe Clips // 9) Big Heart Over-sized Sweatshirt (Can we talk about how great this image is? No, I'd never have the guts to wear those short-shorts and have dark eyebrows and light hair, but this homegirl is killin' me.)

johnny miller : photography

2011-01-20T09:30:00.001-06:00

Couldn't you just live in these images by Johnny Miller?

And yes, I think I'm coveting all the glass used in this shoot.

Oh me, oh my.

real wedding : emma + wesley

2011-01-18T09:00:00.001-06:00

How gorgeous is Emma and Wesley's Sweet Southern Fete? Are they not just the most precious couple? I know I sound crazy, but it kind of makes me miss the sweltering heat...

I created Emma's veil and flower fascinator as well as their wedding invitation suite. I'll post images of their paper goods as soon as I'm able!

Head over to their feature on Ruffled to see more of their beautiful celebration. I just had to include that last image because I think the details and coloring are just so beautiful!

2011 calendar : seasons of the wreath

2011-01-04T08:00:00.002-06:00

There is no season such delight can bring

As summer, autumn, winter and the spring.

-William Browne

I thought I'd finally share this little ditty I've been working on since it's ready in my shop! Head over to my Etsy to see a more detailed view and to purchase the print.

what are you doing new years eve?

2011-01-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

Or, I guess I should rephrase to "What did you do New Years Eve?"

Tec and I got out of town and rented a cabin with a few dear friends. We ate well, drank well and forwent sleep and seriousness. We accidentally discovered this incredible 8mm app a few hours before leaving and it turned out to be the perfect tool to document our trip. Plus, I'm a sucker for anything 8mm, even if it is a phone knock-off version. (If you've got a couple bucks to spare and a phone to support this little gem, I swear you'll be in love.) Oh! And notice the glitter party hats! I fell in love with them after seeing Ashley's post on Design*Sponge and was so excited to have an excuse to make them!

"What Are You Doing New Years Eve" by Ella Fitzgerald

I hope you had a beautiful beginning to the new year!

Here-here to 2011.

with every good wish...

2011-01-01T01:11:00.003-06:00

...for a happy New Year!

Photo from here.

Raise your glass to health, peace, joy, kindness, loyalty and love in the new year.

Bless and be blessed.

Love and be loved.

Nice to meet you, Twenty Eleven.

PS--Today is 1/1/11 and this entry was posted at 1:11 am. Come on!

sparkly shoes under $150... mostly

2010-12-29T09:00:00.000-06:00

With New Years Eve a mere two days away, what better time to go shopping for a pair of sparkly shoes? And yeah... I just realized this is my second post about glittery shoes. Are you surprised that my favorite movie growing up was The Wizard of Oz?

All but one pair of these heels are well under $150.

Can you spot the $325 pair without looking at the prices below?

first row: Enzo Angiolini 'Smiles Platform Pump, $94.95,

Peep Evening Heels, $38.99

second row: Charm by Kate Spade, $325,

Steve Madden Karro, $39.98

third row: Knock Your Socks Off Heel, $134.99

Steve Madden Haylow G, $89

What's the most memorable pair of shoes you've ever owned? I have to believe that any of these would make my top ten list.

good news of great joy

2010-12-25T09:00:00.005-06:00

But the angels said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

Luke 2:10-14

DIY :: easy-as-pie (or cake) bunting

2010-12-22T09:00:00.004-06:00

Bunting by nature is easy to create--gather up a bit of fabric, a needle and thread and you're in business! But throw in my favorite material--felt, the lazy man's fabric--and NOW we're talkin'!

I've been in love with all these images I've seen lately of cake bunting but I've had no reason to create them. I'm crazy about the shape of the inverted-arrow in this post, so here's my take on it, incorporating the bunting all over our home.

WHAT YOU NEED (to make about 10 yards of bunting):

- 20 sheets of 12"x9" felt / I used 10 sheets of red and 10 sheets of ivory -

- sharp scissors -

- needle and thread or sewing machine and 10 yards spool of ribbon -

Fold and cut the felt in 1/2 like a "hamburger"... as opposed to longways, like a "hotdog." (Man, if I were still teaching 4-year-olds, that joke would have killed! It's a standby favorite.) Cut the two pieces in 1/2 again and then cut each of those pieces in 1/2 so that you have 8 strips of felt. Then pinch one end of a strip and cut from the fold you just created down to the corner of the strip to create the V. Do this to all 160 strips of felt. From there you'll either hand stitch the pieces together by running an "over-and-under" stitch or you'll feed the strips through the sewing machine, laying the ribbon on top of each strip as you feed it through. (I made my bunting with my sewing machine.)

I kind of want to make this for all the holidays--pink and red for Valentine's, green and white for St. Patricks, pastels for Easter... I could go on and on!

Merry-almost-Christmas!

christmas sweetness, vol II

2010-12-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

Pinecones, bright white, plaids and garland.

Petaja Christmas, twenty ten.

[ and the winner is ] mixed tape :: GIVEAWAY

2010-12-20T09:15:00.003-06:00

...#30, Miss Lorena Mair!

"I am thankful to know God and that I can thank him every day for all the blessings he is throwing at me each year and the wonderful family I have."

Thank you to everyone who participated in this fun post. I never expected to be so blessed by all of your grateful, sweet and meaningful comments. Thank you for taking time to remind me of all the blessings that surround me, each and every day. May you carry the gifts of your gratitude with you now and throughout the coming year.

Lorena, please email me at ohmydeerhandmades@gmail.com with your address so that I can put this little goody in your hands!

merry christmas, 1989

2010-12-20T09:00:00.001-06:00

With Christmas less than a week away, I thought I'd wish you all a Merry one with a good laugh and maybe an "awwww" or two.

Five year old Chelsea, three year old (obviously feisty) Jordan, too-legit-to-quit parents, a pink living room, mauve carpet, doily ornaments and a serious mustache want to wish you a sweet and memorable Christmas.

Here's to letting those you love know it.

Hugs and kisses all around.

mixed tape :: GIVEAWAY

2010-12-18T08:00:00.003-06:00

OK, maybe it's not technically a mixed tape but that sounds so much better than mixed CD. Who else remembers sitting infront of their boombox with their finger poised on the record button just waiting for that perfect song? 1995: mine was Aeroplane by Red Hot Chili Peppers. That's a real edgy 11-year-old for ya. Right...

We've put together a few of our favorite Christmas or winter-themed songs: a few locals, a few classics, some sweet and some melancholy.

Leave a comment below saying what you're most thankful for this Christmas season. I'll number the entries--numer one being the first comment and so on--and then generate a number at random to find out who the winner is! The number will be chosen Monday morning, so get those comments in before the drawing if you want a chance to get your paws on a little melody goodness, from our heart to your home.

christmas sweetness, vol I

2010-12-16T12:00:00.000-06:00

With all the craziness the accompanies my favorite celebration of the year, I've been neglecting this little ol' blog. We've been busy bees--working and traveling and crafting and visiting and hosting and attending and decorating.

Here are a few sneak peeks from around the Petaja home. We received a beautiful snow this week that made it really feel like Christmas. (Especially for my Mid-West boy who is used to snow fall November through March.)

I'm hoping Tec can take a few "real" pictures for me over the next few days. But boy-oh-boy do I love me some ShakeIt photos. Cute and easy? Yes, thank you, I'll take it.

What are your favorite decorations this time of year?

It seems that without fail, mine is always our Christmas tree. It warms up our living room and makes the space so cozy and inviting.

if this blog were a kid...

2010-11-30T09:00:00.002-06:00

...it would be a toddler! Today is Oh, My Deer's third birthday!

If you would have asked me a few weeks ago how long I'd been coming to this page, I'd say, "Oh, maybe a couple years..." but that's only because I'm not so great at math and counting past two must be hard for me.

Pics via LeilaLeilaLeila.

So, so, SO much has happened personally and in the world these past three years, and it makes me a little melancholy to reminisce. So instead, let's look forward to what lies ahead, be grateful for what has been, and strive to be still in the moment and content with what is.

Also, I want to thank YOU for taking the time to read and check out lil' old Oh My Deer. It's beyond humbling to think people other than my mom and husband care about what goes on here.

T H A N K - Y O U + T H A N K - Y O U + T H A N K - Y O U

Time is a brisk wind, for each hour it brings something new... but who can understand and measure its sharp breath, its mystery and its design?

-Paracelsus

sexy under $100 : volume II

2010-11-27T09:00:00.002-06:00

While we're still metabolizing the turkey and pumpkin pie, let's dream about holiday parties that I'm pretty sure only exist in episodes of The O.C. Here are a few little affordable numbers that would give Marissa Cooper a run for her money.

OK, enough O.C. references...

Mystifying Maven: $79.99 / Opposites Interact: $54.99 / Exaggerated Bow Shoulder: $86.20 / Rise Embellished Ruffle Tiered: $86.20 / Burning Desire: $77.99 / Sweet Surrender: $79.99

+ i am thankful +

2010-11-25T09:00:00.001-06:00

+ picture via stefski +

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

mercy and cheer all the year

2010-11-22T09:30:00.001-06:00

With less than a week until Thanksgiving, it's not too early to start talking about Christmas trees, stockings, tinsel and exceptional giving is it? Well, regardless, here's a little bit of what I've been up to lately. And yes, I'll confess... I've already been listening to Christmas music.

Don't judge.

- Set of five "Tis the season of Mercy" cards, blank inside, 5" x 7" -

- Five matching envelopes crafted out of 100% post consumer waste -

- Neatly nestled within a kraft board box whose base is also 100% recycled -

- Click here to view these cards on my Etsy -

All proceeds of these Mercy cards go to the Got Your Back Movement. (This is the organization that Tec went to Haiti and Africa with this past year.) Please head to their website to learn more about how they strive to "restore purpose, give hope and show love through the global distribution of school uniforms to children in need."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- "Dear Santa" watercolored print, 8" x 10" -

- Click here to view this print on my Etsy -

Dear Santa Claus,

The time is nigh for you to appear,

Please fill my stocking with Christmas cheer,

But all I really want is LOVE this year.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Click here to head on over to my Etsy to purchase either the Dear Santa 8" x 10" print or the set of five Mercy cards with Kraft paper envelopes.

Happy weekend!

real wedding : allison + scott

2010-11-10T09:00:00.000-06:00

Who's up for a little summer reminiscing?

It seems that when I'm sweating like a pig in June and July... and August and September, I can't wait for sweaters and chords and scarfs. But when I wake up to frost on our lawn and I have to cover up our plants at night to keep them for biting the dust, all I want is to be laying out by a pool and lathering up in sunscreen.

Anyway, the point is that I remembered recently that I needed to share the oh-so-sunny and bright photos of Allison and Scott who got married this past summer in Maui. I'm a sucker for simple beauty and I think their wedding embodies just good ol' fashion pretty.

Email me at ohmydeerhandmades@gmail.com if you're interested in these pretty little puffs like Allison (or Cathy) wore on their big day.

Head over to Punam Bean's blog for more images from the wedding.

gifted magazine + holiday cheer

2010-11-04T11:30:00.002-05:00

If getting over the hump of Halloween didn't put you in the holiday spirit, I've got something for you that will remedy that right away!

Head on over to Creature Comfort's newest endeavor, Gifted Magazine for over 200 pages that are jam packed with festive goodness. I swear you'll be planning DIY projects that involve snowflakes and cocoa before you know it.

The oh-so-sweet Kelli Trontel, along with Vanessa Warren of butterflyspArks, collaborated to create a dreamy Woodland Wonderland. Check out their work, along with tons and tons of other amazing treats, to see my lettering pop up into the mix! And don't blame me if you pull the fake tree out of storage and buy a roll or two of wrapping paper after you peruse Gifted...

real wedding : cathy + erik

2010-10-15T12:30:00.002-05:00

Swoon.

Cathy and Erik were married this past September in La Colle sur Loup, the town I mentioned previously as the home base for our time spent in France. (It was one of the two weddings that Tec went to France to shoot during our recent trip.) Cathy found Tec after our home was featured on Design*Sponge, who had previously featured their home as well!

Cathy, being the gal that she is, wanted to keep some of the wedding business "in the family," so she commissioned me to make a couple chiffon puffs for the celebration. I couldn't have been happier to see such a beautiful woman wear something I'd created for her. And PS--Is her dress not to die for?

For more images of the gorgeous day, head on over to Tec's blog and Design*Sponge.

And many, many blessings to the stunning couple, Erik and Cathy, in your new chapter of life!

our trip in pictures + words // tuscany + florence

2010-10-13T09:00:00.001-05:00

Ciao miei amori.

This post is all about our time spent in parts of Tuscany and Florence. Without a doubt, Tec and I enjoyed our travels here more than we could have imagined. Time seemed to move a bit slower, the wine flowed like honey (or maybe olive oil, in this case...), the food was flawless and the land was outrageously beautiful.

Tuscany / Arezzo

L O D G I N G : Villa Fontelunga

Upon arriving in Italy, we drove to the Tuscan town of Arezzo. Here we stayed at the picturesque Villa Fontelunga. Oh. My. Gracious. I don't have the vocabulary or the literary skills to express how much we adored the time we spent there. Philip and Paolo run this villa with kindness and care and we felt welcomed the moment we arrived. Here are some of the highlights of Fontelunga: surrounded by olive groves, gorgeous pool, incredibly private and quiet, deliciously light dinner prepared on site with locally grown and prepared foods, honesty bar (just mark down what you take from the fully stocked kitchen bar), outdoor fireplace and seating... Truly, I can not say enough about the loveliness of of this venue. Looking for a honeymoon local or a spot for your destination wedding? This is your spot, sister. Trust.

Tuscany / Gaiole in Chianti

L O D G I N G : Badia a Coltibuono

"The Abbey of the Good Harvest"

After a few nights in Arezzo, we traveled west about an hour to Badia a Coltibuono, located in Gaiole in Chianti, Sienna. Originally used as an Abbey, this structure dates back nearly a thousand years! Getting here was tricky (since not much in these parts of Italy seem to have an actual address you can plug into your GPS), but once we wound our way around the narrow roads and seemingly arbitrary signs, we arrived at the top of a gorgeous expanse of land and a sprawling complex. We weren't sure what to expect when we arrived at the medieval abbey, but we were completely blown away by what lied inside the formidable gates. Once inside, you're greeted with courtyards, fountains and the most lovely garden I've ever seen. And Coltibuono is true to their namesake--they have and still do practice sustainable and organic methods of growing their fruits, vegetables and even in their vineyards. The rooms were spacious and very tidy, though not cozy or romantic. But the gardens, the grounds and the history of this location make up for any shortcomings of the room's appeal.

Florence

L O D G I N G : Black5 / N4U

Florence. Ahhh, Florence. This was our last stop in Italy before we drove back into our little home-away-from-home in La Colle sur Loup. Florence was incredible and so different from our time spent in Tuscany. I'm not sure what I expected, but for those of you who don't know, Florence is a big city! Ha. The two things I enjoyed most about Florence were walking up to the Piazzale Michelangelo (from the Piazzale you see a panoramic view of Florence) and seeing Michelangelo's David. Both were "take your breath away" moments for me.

Now onto our lodging in Florence. I hesitate to say anything about where we stayed because I'm from the school of if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. But if my cautionary tale saves one of you dearlings from walking in the rain with all of your luggage, then I'm glad I said something. (And no, this story isn't as dramatic as I've set it up to be.) We initially made reservations at N4U, but upon schlepping our suitcases a mile from where we parked and up five flights of stairs, we were told that they'd overbooked and that we would be staying at their sister suits, Black5. Oh, and did I mention it was raining? So fast forward five more blocks and two more flights of stairs, and we were at Black5. The waiting room gave off a very modern feel, but our room was out of a Motel 6 from the '80s. Plus, we'd booked N4U because of its location--three blocks from the Duomo. Now we were further away and staying in pretty bad accommodations. We stayed the two nights we'd already booked because I didn't want to cause a stir. (Dumb, I know. But I'm a people pleaser.) Anyway, all this to say, if you decide to stay at N4U while in Florence--great! Just confirm that's where you'll actually be staying...

Here's to safe travels and spending time with those you love.

Arrivederci!

our trip in pictures + words // the french riviera

2010-10-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Our time spent in France and Italy was so special and sweet that I feel like I need to pass along all the goodness we encountered on the off-chance that one of you would use any of our recommendations as reference. So start your engines, dearlings... off we go to France! (Italy will be coming your way in a few short days.)

Cote d'Azur / French Riviera

L O D G I N G : La Forge d'Hauterives

Tec and I had a little over a week to spend along the French Riviera. We set up camp at an adorably quaint B & B (La Forge d'Hauterives) while we traveled up and down the coast. We stayed in two of their rooms while we were there: Chambre Bois de Charme and Chambre Bois de Amarante. Both were very nice, with full bathrooms in the room and each with a patio overlooking the back yard. However, if I were to pick, I'd choose the Charme--it had a shower as opposed to only a bath tub, and it was much quieter and felt more secluded than the Amarante. Overall the home is completely perfect, though, with a swimming pool, wireless Internet, a deliciously fresh breakfast, and a kind and helpful owner, Anne d'Hauterives.

The town where this B & B is located is called La Colle sur Loup and is about 10 minutes outside of Nice; staying outside of Nice was the perfect decision for us. We're not huge city people, and La Colle sur Loup was central enough to access any of our destinations easily, but without all the hustle and bustle of a glitzy city like Nice. Our favorite public beach along the coast was the Salis Plage, which is about a five minute car ride down from the Musée Picasso, both of which are in Antibes.

Stay tuned--Tuscany and Florence are coming your way in a couple of days!

Happy autumnal Monday.

// All images thanks to the handsome Tec Petaja //

10 / 10 / 10

2010-10-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Being the numbers gal I am, I thought I'd whip up a fun lil' post full of ten treats, all revolving around the number ten, that I found on Etsy.

Here's to all those decagons, dimes, decades and decennials.

Happy TEN / TEN / TEN !

Vintage Division Flash Cards, $5.75 + Vintage Litter Bags, $2.00 + Ten Apples Up On Top, $5.00 + Vintage Apron Sewing Patterns, $4.85 + Vintage Botanical Prints, $6.50 + Wooden Letterpress Numbers, $43 + Number 10 Typewriter Ring, $29.99 + Vintage Postcards, $8.00 + Milk Glass Spice Jars, $55 + Milk Glass Vases, $48.50

a pretty pastel party

2010-10-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Like I mentioned yesterday, Elise is the super-cute face behind the blog Pennyweight. That pretty little lady was sweet enough to put together a board of her own for lil' ol' Oh My Deer. Her's is inspired by parties and pretty colors. Wouldn't everything here make for the best bridal or baby shower, luncheon, or just a fun dinner with the girls? And I don't know about you, but I'm seriously crushing on that twig and knot ring...

Here's a snippet from Elise about her board:

This time of year seems to be full of celebrations and I couldn't be more excited to get my hands dirty baking and decorating for Fall. I have several friends getting married soon and have been scouring the web for inspiration for wedding showers and engagement parties [or any party, really!]. I'm totally drawn to this soft color palette right now - which also happens to pair well with beautiful, colorful food. Happy Hosting!

LINKS:

Quote + Plates + Boots + Necklace + Gregory Alan Isakov + Rings + Lipgloss + Dress + Place Setting + Name Tags + Eyeliner + Vintage Serving Spoon

Thanks for sharing your vision with us, Elise! Three cheers for Pennyweight! Hip, hip, HOORAY!

[ wanted this week ] pennyweight

2010-10-07T09:30:00.000-05:00

The oh-so-lovely Elise over at Pennyweight features a Wanted this Week column every Thursday on her blog. I'm the guest of this week's Wanted so head on over for all the links to these pieces, inspired by a breezy blue fall afternoon.

Stay tuned tomorrow for a little somethin'-somethin' Elise put together for us!

PS--I haven't read Player One by Coupland yet. I love nearly everything he touches, though. Have any of you read it? Thoughts?

thank you's and water bottle arbors

2010-10-05T09:00:00.001-05:00

A few months ago, I showed a bit from Leah and Jon's wedding. As if you could forget the colors and joy that radiated from their images. I was lucky enough to be contacted by Leah again to work up Thank You cards for her and her newlywed. I still think about that ingenious arbor Joy created (the flowers were created by repurposing old water bottles!), so when I was given the freedom to create something "slighty off center" for their cards, I knew immediately that I'd work it into their design.

Left image of Leah and Jon under arbor shot by David and Kendrick.

watercolors under a breezy blue sky

2010-10-01T15:20:00.003-05:00

I worked on this wedding certificate while sitting on our back patio.

W E L C O M E - A U T U M N , W E L C O M E - O C T O B E R .

Shoot me an email at ohmydeerhandmades@gmail.com if you're interested in a custom piece of your own!

europe thus far

2010-09-11T11:00:00.001-05:00

While Tec embraces the quaintness of the town we're in (everything closes for a few hours after lunch and before dinner; i.e., Tec is taking a nap...), I thought I'd share a few images from our trip so far. I'll be sure to share more information about our accommodations and where abouts once the trip is said and done, but this will give us all some eye candy for the weekend.

Gotta love ShakeIt for your iPhone.

away we go

2010-08-31T09:00:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry for the lack of posts and to be leaving you again... but Tec and I will be out of the country for the next few weeks. Tec has a few jobs in Nice so we're making a vacation out of it and exploring the French Riviera and parts of Tuscany and Florence.

Au revoir, mon cher!

Remember this post? That was when our ambitions were a bit more urban. Since then we've decided to go the scenic route instead. We're much more content driving down a coastline than on a city bus. But hopefully one day we'll have the opportunity to see these cities and take all of you up on your much appreciated suggestions!

All of these images are taken from Villa Fontelunga's website. It's one of the locations we'll be visiting while in Italy. Isn't it just dreamy?

real wedding : leah + jon

2010-08-11T13:15:00.003-05:00

What a fun surprise to wake up this morning and see another wedding on Once Wed that I had a small part in with my paper goods!

Leah and Jon had an adorable celebration styled by none other than my sweet friend Joy Thigpen. Who wouldn't want to be a witness and a guest at this kind of party? And get a load of the custom corn hole game, based off the invitation I created for their wedding! Oh... and that arbor! Joy repurposed old water bottles into those flowers! That girl is an bottomless bag full of tricks.

For TONS of images and more about the day, head over to Once Wed today.

Wedding photos by David and Kendrick of Our Labor of Love.

real wedding : kristine + bruce

2010-08-09T11:45:00.002-05:00

Kristine and Bruce's marriage celebration is beyond lovely: they've got a great story, their wedding was gorgeous (styled by my girl Joy Thigpen), and I was fortunate enough to have my paper goods play a small role in the festivities.

Isn't this venue, Barnsley Gardens, beyond dreamy? The college I attended was about a half hour from here and I have some great memories of trolling the grounds with girlfriends and saying of the exact spot Kristine and Bruce used as their reception site, "Now THIS would be the perfect spot for a wedding!"

I hope that picture made you laugh as hard as it made me laugh looking back on it. We thought we were so funny, posing like we were taking an Olan Mills shot...

For more images and for a sneak peak into their history, head over to Once Wed.

Photography by my man, Tec Petaja.

on a whim

2010-08-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's high temperature was close to 100 degrees.

o n e h u n d r e d d e g r e e s

With the humidity factored in, the heat index was 115.

Yes. So to keep my mind and hands busy, I whipped up these little ladies. They're over in the shop now if you want to take one home with you.

Miss Nora

chiffon, tulle and cotton fascinator

Miss Ollie

cream chiffon and pearl headband on stretch gold sequin band

Miss Flossie

rhinestone embellished headband on double stretch silver sequin band

I hope the weather is more bearable where you are.

Who's ready for chilly nights and apple cider?

swiftly slipping sweltering summer

2010-08-01T16:30:00.001-05:00

Though I'm not entirely sure where June went and how it's already August, I do know where Tec and I have gone to escape the heat. This summer has taken us to the city where the heat is on, the tip of the Mitten and back to the west coast a couple times over. Though we've still got a few more trips up our sleeves before fall brings the leaves to yellow, I thought I'd share what we've been doing that has kept us from our work and the humidity.

All of these images were taken with my iPhone, using an ap called ShakeItPhoto.

real wedding : annie + mat

2010-07-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Boy-oh-boy.

Just over a month ago, two sweet friends, Mat and Annie, were married at the same location as Tec and I were, almost two years to the date! (Mat was the kind gentleman that filmed our Super8 wedding video, too!) The celebration was joyous and lovely and sweltering hot. Three cheers for hot-hot-hot June in the South!

Mat and Annie were sweet enough to let me play with the flowers for the decor, the boutonnieres and the bouquets. (All flowers were purchased from Import Flowers here in Nashville.) Annie also wore one of my veils, and its been a while since I've seen Miss Maude look as lovely as it does on this beautiful bride.

Mosey on over to Once Wed to see LOTS more from this wedding; it's being featured on the site today. Blessings, Mat and Annie! Love!

Photography, care of my handsome husband, Tec Petaja.

seven / four / two thousand ten

2010-07-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMURICUH!

That's how you say America if you're from my neck of the woods.

I hope all of you residing state-side celebrate it with cold drinks and hot dogs, sprinklers and sparklers, friends and family.

These images are from our time spent up in Traverse City, Michigan during the Fourth of '08. The image on the left is from the Blue Angel's show. Incredible.

They're oldies but they're some of my favorites.

real wedding : chelsey + ryan

2010-06-15T15:45:00.000-05:00

You may have already seen this sweet couple over on Once Wed, but I thought I'd repost a few that show off the Oh My Deer goodies!

Photography by Austin Gros

Ryan and Chelsey live here in Nashville, and because Nashville may as well be Mayberry, we've come to know one another over the past year or so. I was able to hand letter their beautiful marriage certificate, plus work up a couple hair fascinators and boutonnieres.

Blessings, Chelsey and Ryan!

happy anniversary to us

2010-06-07T09:00:00.004-05:00

Two years ago today, the Petaja family of Tec and Chelsea was made.

These past two years have been blessed with the joy of each other, health, friends, a home, work, beauty and lots and lots of love.

What more could a girl ask for?

All images by Jose Villa.

Also, while we're all being a little nostalgic, here's our wedding video, too.

Cinemetography: Mat Kearney
Who, by the way, was married two days ago at the very same location as Tec and me! It was such a sweet near-anniversary present to celebrate a new chapter of life with many of the same people we'd celebrated with two years ago. Blessings to you two newlyweds, Annie and Mat!

Music, in order of appearance: Amazing Grace, Sufjan Stevens
(I love you) For Sentimental Reasons, Nat King Cole
Let's Fall in Love, Ella Fitzgerald
Get Up, James Brown

PS--How was this two years ago?