Dreaming of spring

Photo from With Love and Squalor

This cold weather is making me crave springtime. (It's been abnormally cold in Florida and for too long!) This photo makes me dream of the delightful weather and beautiful walks it may bring. & I love how it looks as if there is still a chill in the air. Spring is a season of transformation and renewed hope; when the trees and the plants finally come back to life, and naturally, we feel happier. Spring is probably my favorite season. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that we are planning our wedding during this bright and happy season. I'll be sharing more photos that inspire the planning process along the way. I hope you'll stick around :)

Enjoy your weekend, friends!

Stella & Dot Spring Line: My Favorites

As many of you know, I have a little side business selling Stella & Dot jewelry, accessories, and handbags. I started back in October of 2012 when I was searching for a full-time job and needed something to fill my time, bring in some extra money, and fuel my creativity and love for accessories. Little did I know, Stella & Dot was the perfect company for the job (and still is). It was this bracelet that lead me to Stella & Dot. I wanted to host a party so I could get it for free. Instead, I was contacted by my now amazing mentor, Karen, who told me I should just join as a Stylist. Thank God I did, because I got so much more than just that bracelet. :)

Here are my favorites from the new Spring line that launched on Monday: 

1. Sutton Necklace - white stone $178

2. Norah Pendant $98

3. Cleopatra Studs $24

4. Monterey Hoops - gold $39

5. Nancy Studs - peach $24

6. Jackie Link Bracelet $69

7. Amelie Sparkle Bracelet - gold $39

8. Palm Springs Scarf - citrine floral $59

9. Tansy Fringe Collar $138

P.S. Want to know one of the best things about Stella & Dot? You can get your favorite pieces for free if you host a trunk show with me. It's one of the easiest and most fun ways to get your girlfriends together. Just ask me about it!

Like my Stella & Dot Facebook page to keep up-to-date with sales and new arrivals!

xo,
Brooke

Holiday Highlights

Wow, I can't believe Christmas has come and gone. It seems like we were just stuffing ourselves full and giving thanks in November. There are so many happy things that happened this December and so much to be thankful for. A month long celebration of love and baby Jesus is my kinda month. Here are some highlights:

After celebrating 8 years of dating, Travis & I finally got engaged! You think I would have had a clue that this was coming...but I can't tell you how surprised I was. He proposed in Donnelly Park in Mount Dora, Florida, where we had our first date.

This photo was taken by his sisters who were hiding behind a tree.

Our family & a few close friends were waiting around the corner at a restaurant to celebrate with us.

I got to spend the next weekend in Santa Rosa Beach for a Bourgeois family wedding weekend. Another fun way to celebrate being engaged with my future family.  

My dear friend & roommate, Kelly, got engaged over Thanksgiving weekend. To make it even better, she is going to be my sister-in-law. We met through our fiancées (who are step-brothers) when we all went on a college spring break cruise together. How adorable is the way she asked me to be a bridesmaid!?

This year I received two very special gifts for Christmas. One from my mom and the other from my future mother-in-law. Each gift represents two of our favorite women, my Grandma Shirley and Travis's Grandma Joy, who passed away of breast cancer before we started dating.

"Little Shirleys are made in honor of my grandmother, Shirley Larson. Each vase is unique, elegant, and colorful, just like Shirley. I hope they inspire conversation, foster goodwill, and simply make you smile. A portion of the profits from the sale of this vase supports organizations working to cure cancer."

This gold bracelet was Travis's grandma Joy's, and was passed down to me by Cynthia, Travis's mom. I couldn't be more grateful for our families and the meaningful gifts I recieved this year. 

Needless to say - December rocked. And as much as I don't want it to end, there is so much to look forward to in 2014. I can't wait.

Love,

Brooke

Happy Birthday, Stile & Grace!

I did it. I started the blog. 

In 2013 I made a new year's resolution to start a blog. So here I am, 351 days later, starting the journey of my new fashion & lifestyle blog. A place where I can hopefully keep myself (& you) creatively inspired.



Photo by Lucy MacLeish Photography



The meaning of the name:
Stile (pronounced stil-lay) means style in Italian. Italy is the place of my ancestry and where I studied abroad during college. Grace is a meaning for my middle name & the foundation of my faith.

Topics I will post about:

Personal style, fashion trends, outfits, accessories, Stella & Dot, home decorating, great finds, currently coveting, talented friends, and any other thing I find beautiful & inspiring. 

Happy birthday, Stile & Grace! I am so excited to see where this journey takes us. 

xo,

brooke