Field Trip to Terrain

Each spring, when the peonies peek out from under the new mulch, I literally jump for joy at the beauty around me.  I am always so excited to plant flowers, play in the garden, and find it to be a creative therapy of sorts; I think I simply love the art of it all.  Planning which flowers to pair with others and then watching them grow week after week brings an absolutely wide smile to my face.  With that being said, on Saturday I decided (on a whim) to take a quick day trip to Philadelphia and visit one of my very favorite outdoor spaces...terrain at Styer's.  

Weaving in and out of one creative display after another, I take so much pleasure in discovering the cleverness with which their vignettes are crafted.  The indoors and the outdoors run together here, and the ceilings are dripping with delicious plantings, lanterns aglow, ribbon, and muslin...

Caught in the act...I couldn't help but snap a shot of these lovely place settings under one of their tents (yes, the tent too is for sale!).  I love the sky light especially...perfect for peaking at the stars while dining al fresco with friends.

Naturally, I had to take a few colorful pansies home and spent Sunday afternoon perfecting nesting them in front of my rose bushes, a few colorful pots on the patio, and in the window box outside my bedroom window.  

If you have never been here before, I promise you it is well worth the trip...I know I'll be back again very soon!  xSB

Charm City Style - First Day of Spring!

With day after day of unseasonably warm weather here on the east coast, I have been wanting to transition my closet from winter to spring for weeks.  I wore my first peep toe pumps of the season at a wedding this weekend, and then again Monday evening (with this fun crew!) at the Baltimore NACE event.  Last night I slept with the windows open, and was delighted to wake up to the sweet sound of birds chirping (and my cat, Bronte, pawing on the window telling me it is time to eat).  

Happy "First Day of Spring"... I hope you too are walking in style all.day.long!

EXPRESS fitted button down in navy, F21 lace skirt, neon belt from Target, statement necklace Chico's, Seychelles heels in aqua, clutch found at Saks Fifth Ave, jewelry Michael Kors, Stella & Dot, & vintage, nails in Essie's Carousel Coral

Just Breathe...

I am always surprised at how quickly the weekends seem to fly by.  Last week I was busy getting ready for the Engaged Magazine bridal event hosted at the Four Seasons Baltimore, and I packed up my car (literally filled to the brim here) with linen, artwork, accessories, paper details, and these delicious blooms.

Post event I packed everything back up and headed home, flowers in tow, and spent most of Friday evening (late) placing them in various containers around my house.  This arrangement found a home on my living room coffee table, and when I woke up on Saturday morning it literally smelled like I had died and gone to flower shop heaven.  The scent permeated my apartment all weekend long and has definitely put me in the mood for spring!

I felt so inspired by all the lovely brides I met at the show.  I enjoy seeing their faces light up when they talk about the vision they have for their upcoming wedding celebration, and hearing them say how simply happy they are to be in love.  With another busy week on the horizon for us all, I hope you will take a moment to stop and watch what is blooming around you, be grateful, and yes, breath life's gorgeous scent in...

Happy Monday!

stephanie

* Images by Stephanie Bradshaw, all rights reserved 

Meet the Designer - Heidi Merrick

It's hard to believe that today is my last day in sunny California.  It has been a whirlwind trip full of inspiration, collaboration, and a little shopping to boot.  On Tuesday I had the opportunity to stop by the studio of fashion designer Heidi Merrick (of which I am a huge fan!) and take a peek behind the scenes of her working LA studio, chat a bit about her creative process, and of course oohh and aahh over her entire Spring 2012 Collection!

Heidi (above) in her creative work space

The collections colors and fabrics are amazing and I am obsessed with these tangerine beauties (above). There are plenty of options for day and night, meetings, cocktails, or that last minute warm weather get-a-way.  Can you guess which piece (yes, I did limit myself to just one) I took home with me?  It is delicately packed away in my suitcase as we speak!

Rumor has it cold and blustery temperatures await upon my arrival home in Maryland, but with colors like this on the horizon for spring, I am a very happy girl!

xo,

stephanie

* Studio images by Stephanie Bradshaw, all rights reserved