[uhp-steyt fan-see] - adjective

1. not exorbitant or extravagent by city standards, however in a rural setting (like upstate new york) it is in fact, quite fancy.

2. a wonderful blog dedicated to art, design and other things that are indeed upstate fancy.

WHATCHA  READIN' NOW

my life in stitches

Apr
14 wedding
GOING TO THE CHAPEL or rather the boat

Things have been rather busy around here in the last few weeks. I’ve started a new full time design job,  a new business venture with my partner in crime (it’s under wraps at the moment) and of course gearing up for some spring and summer craft shows. And just in case there was a bit of free time, there is also the small task of planning our wedding.

We’ve made a couple big decisions, like the date (6.16.12) and of course that we want to get married here in Maine. We’ve also decided on where exactly we will be saying I do, and where we’ll be celebrating afterwards. In the spirit of Maine, and our own desire for doing something offbeat, we are getting married by the captain of the beautiful  schooner Bagheera. To round out the day we are celebrating at the Portland Company, located right along the water here in Maine. Their complex has a whole lot of salty charm, sailboats, and of course lots of light! You can check out the other venues we were pondering over at my guest post on Love and Lobster, right here >

Feb
23 wedding
PRETTY IN porcelain

Professional book binder Abby Seymour and Jewelry artist Katherine Wheeler create beautiful pieces for their line Golden Ink. A mix of hand crafted porcelain shapes and fanciful drawings the two creatives are a match made in heaven.

Every wearable inch of their work is created by hand, and fired in their own little kiln, which means each one is a little different and remarkably unique. Their work would make anyone swoon and is sure to gather a few compliments from complete strangers as well!

Feb
10 wedding
RASPBERRY & LIME our wedding inspiration

In my career as a graphic designer the most indecisive, difficult to please, hardest to work with client is myself. I find it hard to make a final decision and pull the trigger. After all I can’t charge myself overages, or get mad when I miss my made up deadlines. I have the ability to change my mind dozens of times before making that final decision.

So now that I’ve started to plan my wedding, I feel overwhelmed with design decisions. Should we have a nautical feel, or something more woodsy. Do we want light colors, or something more bold. I’ve been creating wedding inspiration boards for the past 7 months over at love and lobster, so you think I would know exactly what I want.

I’ve been pouring over my files folders for the last month— looking at swatches, dresses and decor, unable to pull the trigger on how I want that special day to feel. Until last night. I figured it all out. It’s not about a theme its about the color, it about making everything around us as happy as we feel. Bright colors with a rustic undertone. This is what we want our day to exude, happiness. Click the photo to view larger if you want to see all the details!

Clockwise from top left: Birch vases (via elizabeth anne designs), food cart, ( charlotte jerks lewis), boutonniere (tec petaja),  drink settings (martha stewart weddings),  flowers (la partie events), ice tub (pottery barn), table setting (my life my loves), monogram (unknown), ceramic mason jars (alyssa ettinger), birch slices (union photo), jam jars (martha stewart weddings), strawberry shortcake (paula le duc),  drink dispensers (justin marantz),

Feb
03 wedding
A CLASSIC LOOK for your dog

Be prepared for a whole bunch of cuteness when you head over to Rover Dog’s online storefront. I found this gem of shop while putting together an inspiration board for the coastal New England wedding blog Love and Lobster. These coats, shirts and even neckties would be the prefect addtion if you are set on having your precious pooch join your wedding party. I can guarantee any dog would look dapper in this westerly trench coat! Best of all they are available in sizes XS to XXL perfect for pups big and small.

Jan
27 wedding
HAVE YOUR CAKE and display it too

Swoon! I’ve been searching the internet lately for fun cake stands. I’ve wanted one for quite a while and now I think it would be the perfect accent for our wedding reception. Say hello to Sweet and Saucy Supply! This online shop has done all the vintage shopping for you, just swing by pick your favorite and have it shipped to your doorstep. There are some amazing pieces on their site, from cake plates, platters, bowls and glass dome tops. There is sure to be one that compliments your home, or wedding.

Jan
03 wedding
WE’RE ENGAGED!

I’m so very excited to share the news with you all! After 3 wonderful years together, one big move to Maine, and countless hours hauling my wares to craft shows near and far, Matt asked me to marry him. On Christmas Eve we were in Syracuse visiting his family for the holidays and made our annual trek to Lights on The Lake, a drive through extravaganza of holiday lights, which my inner child loves. After we went through the final archway he pulled the car over and took a little silver box our of his coat pocket. I was honestly surprised and of course said yes! I couldn’t be happier to have this very special moment take place at my favorite time of year. The ring is so beautiful an exactly the kind of antique estate piece I wanted (great job Matt).

I can’t wait to share more about our journey on this wild ride of planning and excitement, and will be guest posting about planning a wedding in Maine over at the Love and Lobster blog. I wish all of your a very joyous 2011!

Jan
05 wedding
TROPICAL icy land

emerald_lake_1

So many brides dream of tropical adventure and island breezes as the backdrop for their special day. I dream of something else altogether. Awe inspiring mountains, the changing of seasons, fireplaces and apple cider. Emerald Lake Lodge in Yoho National park is my newest destination wedding obsession. The ground laden with freshly fallen leaves or blanketed in a fresh coat of snow, either way Emerald Lodge is the perfect landscape to say I do.

emerald_lake_2

via: Travelphant

Dec
18 wedding
I HATE PERFUME but love the names

Sometimes a special scent can just turn the day around. I’m so tired of naming conventions that really don’t mean anything. I think a fragrance can have a life of it’s own and really bring you back to a forgotten memory or whisk you away to someplace exotic and spiritual.  I personally carry a little roll on fragrance with me named Optimism that really does brightens up my day.

A little shop in Brooklyn has taken this idea to a whole new level. CB I Hate Perfume has the most unusual names for its fragrances and packages them in nostalgic little bottles. From Russian Caravan Tea, to At The Beach 1966 there is sure to be something that will be the perfect match for you. I am dying to get to their shop but the snow may just keep me away this weekend.


ihateperfume

Sep
18 wedding
EVEN MORE handmade wedding rings

I’ve recently been hit by the wedding bug. I’m not one of those girls who dreamed of walking down the aisle, the dress they would be wearing, the flowers, the music, etc etc. But recently I’ve been dreaming of the perfect low budget indie wedding. A while back I posted about some of my favorite handcrafted engagement rings. I was browsing around etsy the other day and found this very unique wedding bands from fabuluster. While putting a little engraving inside your wedding bands is cute and all, why not go for something a little more personal and timeless. Each ring is handcrafted and contains the fingerprints of you and your love. While I’m sure there are about 1000 other couples out there with a shakespeare sonnet engraved in their bands, no one else will have the same fingerprints for all eternity.

fingerprint_weddingrings

Aug
12 wedding
FABRIC BIRDS by abigail brown

Oh Abigail Brown, why must you make me swoon so often over all your fantastic pieces. Today in particular I am pining over your small fabric birds. When I was younger my parents had a wooden swan that i would pet everyday, hoping that one day it would come alive. I know I was a strange child. But the point of this story is, I really do think these little fabric birds might come to life if you pet them often enough.

birds

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