THIS BLOG HAS MOVED!

I’ve been talking about it for weeks and the day is finally here. My beloved BT&B blog is officially transferring over to a new, simple, clean & perfectly SCOUT. blog. After much contemplation and hours and hours of design conversations with my dear friend Amy, I made the decision to start up a new blog (new domain too! www.ablognamedscout.com).

I made the leap for many reasons, but the most pressing reason was that I wanted a place where I could really feel free to blog about ANYTHING I wanted. Because of the name of Bow Tie & Bustle I always felt that everything had to revert back to a “wedding” focus and to be honest it was kinda making my creative energy for blogging go down the gutter. Even in just the past couple days of getting the new blog ready for its launch I felt my “blogging love” come back in full force and I couldn’t wait to wake up each morning to blog, blog, blog! It feels a bit like an end-of-an-era scenerio but I really believe the transition to the new blog is the best decision for me and my business at this time.

Thanks to everyone who has followed me here at BT&B for the past couple of years. I hope you’ll continue to follow my new adventures and inspirations over at SCOUT.. LOTS of Europe travel posts coming in the next couple weeks…don’t miss it!

photo cred : {moi iPhone via instagram}

travel essentials.

It’s here! It’s here! The week is finally here! In just a little under 2 days I’ll be lugging my gigantic bag onto a flight to Dublin, Ireland. My European adventure with my little sis will have officially begun and it’s finally just setting in that I will be away from home for the next 6 weeks. Ireland, France, Italy, Greece & Switzerland….CAN.NOT.WAIT!

In the midst of doing insane amounts of laundry today, and starting the preliminary packing stages, I can’t help but ponder the perfect travel accessories. It’s kinda weird to admit it, but even with all of my travels in the past I’ve never used one of those neck pillows – is that odd?! Do those things even really work?? Worth the investment??

I’m certaintly on the hunt for the perfect bag to lug around all my stuff in while we are exploring all the cities – the one I took on my last trip abroad didn’t do the trick. What are your fav travel accessories? If you’re like my Mom you travel with your own bed pillow. What are your travel must-haves??

photo cred : bag {lola bits & pieces} swimsuit {madewell} sunglasses {bleu dame} scarf {mod cloth} camera {urban outfitters} dry shampoo {jonathan} book {cb smith} headphones {the future perfect} watch {kate spade}

week-end thoughts.

I feel like every Friday comes and I’m completely exhausted from a week that has literally knocked me sideways. I wake on Saturday mornings feeling as though every cell in my body has been pushed to its limit. Last week was all about work, work, work and this week I took the time off from work & the blog to enjoy the most precious gift in my life thus far – my nephew Emryk.

Being a freelancer affords me the opportunity to adjust my schedule in whatever way works for my life that week and is a far cry from my 8-5 life just 2 years ago. When I was in nursing everything felt very much the same day to day to day, and although at the time I hated it, I’m aware that there are days now where I kinda wish I still had the monotony and comfortable certainty of what each day would hold. Now days are NEVER the same and although I LOVE that most of the time I wonder if the unpredictability is what leaves me completely drained by the week’s end.

I absolutely love these letterpress statement posters by Ian Coyle. Ian printed a daily thought for 73 straight days and most of them resonate with me pretty immensely. Every week I find myself kinda reflecting on my own trains of thought (a little tough to avoid when you work alone 95% of the time) and this personal project with which Ian puts his own thoughts on paper is super inspiring.

Oh and just a heads up! The new blog is almost all done! Anticipating launching next week before I head to Dublin so keep your eyes peeled! Happy weekend friends!

photo cred: {field notes by ian coyle}

pic me a palette : the donut.

Ever since Alison and Marc’s wedding this past Saturday, I can’t get donuts off the brain. My favorite part of the entire night? When the DJ proclaimed “ok folks, the bride and groom are now going to cut the donut!” Um – yes, complete & pure awesomeness if you ask me.

I am over the moon anytime I see couples doing something non-traditional on their wedding day, and substituting a traditional wedding cake for your favorite sweet is the perfect way to do so!

These lemon poppyseed donuts look absolutely scrumptious and the beautiful blue/grey tone of the poppyseeds makes me swoon.  I definitely might have to try whipping these together one of these days. I also love how Jessica of The Novice Chef doesn’t claim to be anything that she’s not – she’s just simply a gal following her passion for sugar and cooking! You gotta love that!

photo cred : {the novice chef}

hitch print shop.

I’m so excited for my buddy Megan! I met Megan via Twitter awhile back after following her amazing blog for many months and we became fast friends. I then had the pleasure of meeting Megan at ALT this past January and I fell even more obsessed with her amazing aesthetic and design abilities. Megan is also one of the founders of the fantabulous Blog Brunch – and the monthly Saturday brunches with Megan and the gals are ALWAYS something I look forward to!

I’m so proud of Megan, as today she is opening her Hitch Print Shop. I know?! Is there anything this girl can’t do?! You’ve gotta swing over to her new shop and snag some of the adorableness. I’m pretty sure that “be a lady” print is making it’s way to my mailbox pretty dang soon! Congrats Megan! So thrilled for YOU!

photo cred : {hitch print shop}

lucky.

I might just be the luckiest person in the world right now. I’m hopping on a flight this morning (again, I know!) but this trip is SUPER DUPER special. I get to spend 3 WHOLE days with this guy :

Yep. That’s my nephew Emryk a.k.a. Mr E. He’s 6 month’s old and already one of the nicest people I know. He is always smiling (yep just like that!) and I can’t even begin to say how excited I am to be getting 100% auntie time! My sister and bro-in-law won a trip on a cruise (amazing right?!) so I get to snuggle with this little bundle while their gone. Should be some pretty hard-core mommy prep too now that I think about it. Wish me luck friends!

photo cred : {sarah elliott – mommy of Mr. E}

happy happy friday.

Wow. Friday is here. This week has been one of my busiest yet with such high highs and some pretty annoying lows. The cruddiest low? 2 – yes 2 $50 parking tickets. One for me. One for Adam. Let’s just say – not.so.fun. Biggest highs? A Kinfolk Magazine shoot (my favorite mag on the entire planet) and my 1st full-flegged solo styling project for the gals of Blog Brunch. It feels so freaking amazing to really be doing it. When I was younger I secretly wanted to be a stylist, but didn’t really know how the heck to make it happen. I thought you had to be able to draw to be artistic and I’ve learned an incredible bit about was it really means and takes to be creative or an artist : hard work + passion. Styling is my passion (yes! finally found it!) and I’m so excited to see where this passion leads me. This week has really been the cherry on top of 16 months of a complete life overhaul. I’m leaving in a little less than 2 weeks for the trip of  lifetime to Europe with my little sis Coli and the break will be an awesome opportunity to do some reflecting while being flooded with inspiration. Cannot wait.

Happy weekend dear friends!

photo cred : 1 {my iPhone via instagram} 2 {julie harmsen photography}

a birthday weekend.

Last weekend, my adoring hubs took me on a surprise trip for my birthday. I had no idea where we were going, but even the idea of getting away from my desk for a 48 hour period felt like a dream.

Adam took me (with Bailie Bug in tow!) to the beautiful San Juan Islands for a stay on Orcas Island in the Deer Harbor area. We ate. We let the sun hit our faces. We walked amongst the tulip fields. We jogged along the winding roads in the morning dew. We even went on a boat ride to search for whales. Let’s just say the weekend was pretty dang close to perfect. It’s those quite moments when you realize how precious & beautiful life really is and how crazy lucky I am to have an amazing man in my life. What a great way to ring in year 29.

photo cred : {moi iPhone via instagram}

something i’m working on.

Anytime I’m asked to contribute to an event or shoot as a designer or stylist, I start with an inspiration/mood board 1st. It really helps me to wrap my head around the overall concept of the shoot and helps me hone in on what the overarching story is. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and when I’m asked to participate on something that really excites me, I tend to have a brain that just won’t shut off – inspiration boards help me keep myself in check. Too many ideas can sometimes actually be a bad thing (at least for me) and boards always make me feel like I’ve got everything under control. They are also a great way to make sure you and your client are on the same page – bonus!

Today I’ll be chilling alongside the fab Julie Harmsen while we work some styling/photography magic for the gals over at Blog Brunch. I’m really, really stoked to be collaborating with the BB team as their mission of building a blogging community that is collaborative, inspirational and informative is something I truly believe in. If you haven’t brunched with us yet, head over here to find out more details! When’s the next brunch you ask? May 5th! Don’t miss it!

photo cred : {1, 6, 9, 12, 13 sunday suppers | 2, 8 the burning house | 5 via rikshaw design | 10 lotta agaton via jelanie blog |

the alphabet.

This week is already off to one crazy busy start! With an amazing Kinfolk shoot yesterday (details to come!) and a fab styling opportunity for the Blog Brunch gals coming tomorrow, things don’t looks like they are slowing down anytime soon! Unfortunately what this means for the blog is one super slow week – my apologies!

Before I head out in the rain to round-up and source the last of the props for tomorrows shoot, I thought I’d leave you with a beautiful alphabet video sent along to me by my Aunt Sue. As evidenced in last week’s post, I’m a fanatic for unique fonts/type and this video just makes me grin from ear to ear – the french music doesn’t hurt either! I hope you enjoy!

Oh and BIG changes are about to happen around here – new blog coming SUPER soon! Stay tuned! Happy Wednesday friends!

video cred : {n9ve}

30 by 30.

Tomorrow is my 29th birthday and I’m just a wee bit freaked about it. 30 is absolutely looming and my 20’s are absolutely almost over. In reflecting on what my 30’s might have in store and all the things I’ve done/accomplished in my 20’s, I thought it would be a fun idea to spend my year as a 29 year old crossing some things off my “gotta do that list”. So I created a “30 by 30” checklist to try to light the fire under my rear to accomplish some things I’d really like to achieve before the big 3 – 0. I plan to keep you all updated (and me accountable) from time to time, by crossing things off the list as I go.

We are packing the car up at the moment for a surprise birthday weekend away (I have no clue where Adam is taking me but I’m pretty sure there is a ferry boat involved!) so I’m happy to say I’m already working on crossing #19 off the list.

Here’s to year 29! Happy Friday friends!

photo cred : {jenn elliott blake}

pic me a palette : the last crumb.

I’m not even kidding when I say that Canelle et Vanille might just be the prettiest food blog I’ve ever laid eyes on. The styling alone is enough to make me giddy, but the food…oh the food!

This mulberry and rhubarb crumb cake literally makes my mouth water. Recipe here.

photo cred : {canelle et vanille}

the petaled detail.

photo cred : {irving penn via doowop}

inspired by : typography.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a birthday party, wedding, baby shower or dinner party – you’ve gotta somehow get your guests there. 1st step? Invitations.

One of the best parts of creating pretty paper details is finding the right type. Font is such a huge aspect of invitations and finding the right fit can at times be the most challenging part. The type can really set the tone for the entire shindig.

photo cred :  1 {baster} 2 3 5 6 {steve buffoni} 4 {behance} 6 {typography served} 7 {unknown}

skillet + scout.

After a weekend of being knee deep in counting/organizing inventory and a busy day yesterday prepping for some exciting upcoming photoshoots, I’m excited to be back blogging today!

In celebration of the fab week ahead, I thought I’d share some fun pics from an open house scout. was involved in awhile back. I had the pleasure of collaborating with the fabulous Noah of Skillet to create/style a spring tasting at Melrose – full of whimsy and perfectly eclectic funkiness. Julie captured the night and it was such a blast meeting everyone that came out for the night. If you haven’t tried Skillet’s waffle & fried chicken concoctions you are missing out! Find a truck here.

Oh and isn’t the American flag in the back of the room the cherry on top?!

photo cred : {Julie Harmsen Photography}