Black and White and Audrey all over.

May 6, 2015

{Top – J.O.A. // Skirt – Wang // Bodystyler Tank – Blanqi // Shoes – Schutz (sold out) // Necklaces – Acute Designs (Psst* I’m giving away a set of these druzy necklaces from Acute Designs on facebook! // Sunnies – ASOS // Shopbop pieces are c/o}

I wear tennis shoes more than I wear heels, but once a week (usually Sundays), I like to dress my best. The heels will start to see less and less wear as the bump grows and my feet just crave the comfort soles, but I am not afraid to put on a 4 inch heel and bold lip for the right occasion. It is my nod to femininity at its finest, and a salute to Audrey Hepburn, which speaking of, would have been 86 this week!…

I’ve taken notes from what made Audrey the grace filled style setter that she was, and I have come to conclude it only partly had to do with the pieces she actually wore, but her ability to connect her interior strengths with her outward appearance. Her confidence, positivity, poise, and natural beauty were projected through the way she addressed her life, even down to the art form of her wardrobe. The clothing reflected her inner sass and class, which as a result always garnered a jaw dropping reception from all who filmed, photographed, or knew her personally. There was no denying she had an acute awareness of the connection between style and dignity, which is why she will always be on the top of my list of women who embodied true femininity.

Anyways, that was a tangent I hadn’t intended to ride, but I will hit publish anyways. And maybe leave you with a few images you haven’t seen before?… (Source 1, 2, 3)

Cheers to the legend!

SHOP THE POST:

Peach, Please! Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Recipe

May 5, 2015

I couldn’t leave you all without a 5 o’clock Cinco de Mayo beverage!
Jenn Gietzen and Kathryn McCrary of Project Sip are back to share this smooth peachy cocktail, that is just as refreshing as it looks…

Peach, Please!”

Ingredients:
Juice of 2 limes
3-4 tbsp of agave nectar (depending on how sweet you like it!)
6 tsbp (a double shot) of clear tequila
2 peeled medium peaches, pureed

Step 1 : mix lime juice, agave nectar and clear tequila in shaker
Step 2 : peel your peaches and puree in blender or food processor
Step 3 : add to shaker and mix with other margarita ingredients
Step 4 : pour into salt rimmed glass, add garnish (optional)
Step 5 : enjoy!

Project Sip Creators : Jenn Gietzen and Kathryn McCrary
Hand lettering : Jenn Gietzen
Photography : Kathryn McCrary
Model and Assistant : Candice Beaty
More easy drink recipes on Project Sip!

Hello May + Teva Mother’s Day

May 4, 2015

May in Georgia is possibly it’s finest in my humble opinion. Although October is right up there with it. I love the turn of spring, and having the sun synced with your rise and rest times. (Because really, who functions well when the sun sets at 5:30pm?!) New life is around every corner (no seriously, baby bumps are everywherrreeee!), and hibernated neighbors are now frequent passers by.

This month will hold two weddings, the last day of Kindergarten, High school graduations, traveling, and of course Mother’s Day. I look forward to it all since it will be with friends and family that I don’t see enough of. I don’t plan on sleeping much because there is so much adrenaline turning our wheels and running our calendar, so I am just holding onto my hat for the ride. I guess literally and figuratively;)

So Happy May to all of you!
I am guest pinning for Teva this week and will be sharing some original images as well as favorite pics in their Mother’s Day board! Would love to have you stop by:)

Cheers to a fresh new month!
Anna

P.S. A ridiculously good Mother’s Day giveaway I am hosting along some friends on instagram!

(Wearing: DIY Kimono, AE shorts, Blanqi tank, Universal Teva sandals. Second look: thrifted dress, Madewell hat.)

DIY Tripod Planter + The New Boho Book

April 30, 2015

Last summer when I traveled to L.A., I was able to have lunch with friend Justina Blakeney, who I consider one of the most brilliant creative minds in the industry. She has the golden touch to ingenuity and original design. You may remember the creative profile I shared on her last year. When I first heard about her book, The New Bohemians, I circled my calendar and made a big note in capitalized letters, DON’T MISS!. Not even joking, and I have been anxiously awaiting it’s launch ever since.

So happy to be a stop on the Book Tour today. I devoured every page of the book (and I am not kidding when I say it is one of my top 3 prized books I currently own). Maybe because it speaks to my bohemian eclectic loving heart and makes it actually seem tangible. Now while the book is loaded with home tours, and dreamy images of all the home details, there are also instructions for easy and clever DIY’s for your home. I tried out the DIY Tripod Planter….

I filled the planter with mainly succulents, portulaca, and creeping Jenny. You can find the very thorough and helpful instructions to assemble in the book. I purchased the tapered wooden legs from the vintage section on etsy, and used my old wooden salad bowl. Tip: Spray the inside of the bowl with a weatherproof varnish so it lasts a little longer despite water use. We drilled a hold in the middle bottom as well for draining. Couldn’t get over how easy it was, and it has been such a nice addition to our back patio (if I can keep Max out of it for a few weeks;)).

One of my favorite rooms in the book^^. Just a teaser. I’d say it doesn’t even matter if you are need of home decor, textile, DIY, lifestyle, or color ideas. This book is worth it for the visual eye candy;) Snag a copy here.

*All images and styling by IHOD

Aglamesis Bros. Ice Cream Parlor

April 28, 2015

I never tire of walking into a door of a place you have never been.
You might imagine by the outside of Aglamesis Bro. ice cream parlor that the inside surely serves a good scoop.
Well it may have had to do with the pink seats, or black and white tiling, or the old fashioned counter, but I can most certainly report that the ice cream met our high expectations. It could compete for favorite tastebud pleaser in the midwest I am certain.

After The Brand Market workshop I wanted to catch up with Andrea Dozier who photographed the day, so we went ahead and snapped some pics to share with you all. If you ever drive through Cincinnati, you will be happy for making a pitstop at one of their two locations (Oakley and Montgomery).

Fun Facts about Aglamesis:
It was opened in 1908 by two brothers.
The marble was imported from Portugal to build the inside counters.
The parlor’s popularity carried it through the Great Depression and WWII.
To this day, it is still family owned and operated.
Aglamesis Brothers is considered one of the last standing original ice cream parlors of a bygone era.

I am fascinated by facts like these:)

Happy Tuesday friends,
Anna

P.S. My dress is from Madeleine Maternity, shoes from Poppy Barley, and lip color is Smashbox Melondrama

Your first born son.

April 27, 2015

There is something a little tough about your first born son turning another year older.
Each birthday also brings an anniversary; a day seared into your memory forever.
Tiny flailing limbs were placed on your body as you tried to grasp how you took part in creating their life.
Love pours forth from your heart and soul as you were put face to face with the little babe who, with his first heartbeat, gave you the name mother.

From that day forward you never fall asleep again without wondering if you did everything okay that day.
You will never wake again without someone else’s life being more important than your own.
You watch as with each inch they grow, a little more independence is sprouted. You hold your breath, hoping this won’t be the last day you can pick him up in your arms.
And when that day comes and goes, you hold your breath, hoping this won’t be the last day he asks for his goodnight hug and kiss.
You understand God gave them to you to watch and protect, and that he is not yours to keep forever, but you sure wish the keeping part would take a pause now and then.
You wish with each birthday you could have squeezed in a little more time before the clock steals away another year.

With your first born, each birthday brings a year of new firsts and a close to a year of new experiences.
You look at them with tear filled eyes, and wish under your breath you could just hold them once more as a newborn babe looking at his mother for the first time.

—-

We love you Gabriel Joseph, and are so proud of the big heart your are growing inside your little 6 year old body.
Mama (I hope you call me that just a little longer too.)

The Brand Market Cincinnati Recap

April 24, 2015

I grew up in Cincinnati and Columbus, OH so this past Brand Market workshop felt like coming home. I was so happy to get back and start the first workshop of the year! Since baby is due early August, this will be one of only two workshops this year. We do however, have a new website launching and some exciting announcements for The Brand Market coming in June! ( I am really good at trying to launch things right before a baby comes…what is my problem?!) I’ll be sharing sneak peeks along with helpful business tips along the way on The Brand Market instagram handle if you want to follow along.

I have been really lucky to have such a good team of co-hosts with each workshop:

Tiffany Mitchell of Off Beat + Inspired
Liz Young of Haven Magazine
Chris Sutton of Noble Denim + Victor Athletics

Each have a different story of how they started their businesses, and each had a wealth of helpful advice to share on building an authentic business or blog from the ground up.

If you haven’t yet experienced Haven Magazine, dive into their story and sign up for their premier print only issue. I have been devouring mine! Liz Young talked about the experience of navigating her way into editorial and the incredible process of funding a print magazine.

Chris Sutton and his wife (they work together on this business!) broke down practical steps of building and growing Noble Denim and launching a sister brand, Victor Athletics. It was fascinating and extremely well done.

Tiffany Mitchell shared her step by step process of creating an effective business instagram brand and even gave us a lesson on styling and photography.

We had such a cool mix of entrepreneurs at the event and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow.

Paper Whites & Whimsey was the talented gal behind these florals.

I got to meet long time friend Andrea Dozier who captured the day behind the lens so well. Mark her down for your go to photographer for the midwest.
Hope you all have a rain free spring weekend:)