book review :: the girl on the train

For those of you in Gone Girl withdrawal, I have the perfect book pick for you.

Released today, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins is a UK thriller that will leave you captivated, and up past your bedtime.  

Told from three different perspectives, this twisty psychological page-turner will leave you with more questions than answers.  The book begins with the perspective of Rachel, an overweight, alcoholic, depressed soul.  Her daily commutes to London take her past her former house she shared with her ex-husband, who still lives there, but now with his ex-mistress/current wife and child.  She observes her old house and the stretch of nearby homes on her daily commute, and becomes obsessed with the "perfect" neighbors down the street.  One day, Rachel observes something at the neighbors house and becomes entangled in the disappearance of the "perfect" wife shes been observing every day.  What ensues is complicated, unsure, and as highly unreliable as each of the narrators.  

This book left me with many questions and one final thought: You Never Know What...

Never mind, I'll let you finish that thought once you finish reading this book.

:: read on ::

keep calm :: baby poster

We're back at it, after the great wedding poster of 2011.

This time, it's all about the newest royal edition/addition.

We have a KEEP CALM ROYAL BABY poster in many colors, 

whether it is a future prince or princess.

And yes, it's okay if you consider your own child a prince or princess 

and you are not a William or Katherine.

time to bestow :: fifty shades of denim

Amy turned thirty. Which meant time for a party.

The custom birthday invitations were designed by the birthday girl herself.

Heavy cotton stock with a custom brand and printed in navy ink.

Wrapped in a denim (Levi's, no less) and jute band

and mailed off in a fantastically thick kraft envelope.

The details were true to Amy - and her brand.
Literally.
The napkins featured her custom brand.
And she received a custom branded belt buckle as her first birthday gift.

And in true Amy fashion, the requested attire was Canadian tuxedo.

Yes, we do have some good old Canadian roots.

Guests obliged and we had ourselves a bona fide

Fifty Shades of Denim Party!

Which was not really the intention, but that's sure what it looked like.

:: party on ::

as featured on martha stewart weddings :: lauren + jack

We were so honored to have Lauren + Jack's Aspen wedding 

recently featured on Style Me Pretty. 

Imagine our excitement to see their rehearsal dinner 

featured on Martha Stewart Weddings today!!!

photo via martha stewart weddings

Loving how the bride played up the red details for this event!

We are total suckers for old red trucks.

Congrats to Lauren + Jack and wishing them much happiness!

We're off to celebrate as well.

you are seated at :: custom chalkboard escort board

Welcome your guests with this over-sized custom chalkboard.

This easy to spot escort seating chart can substitute traditional escort cards.

Arranged by table and easy to read, this is the perfect decor to your wedding day, 

whether the affair is a black tie night or vintage mountaintop high.

Sized at a generous 2 feet x 4 feet, this beauty can be flipped over 

(yep - chalkboard on both sides) 

after your guests are seated and act as an interactive guest book with chalk included, 

or provide a huge note of thanks as your friends and family depart for the night.

 Available from Express Yourself here on Etsy,

with option of local Denver, Colorado pick-up or shipping within the lower 48 states.

hello :: new collection of mini emergency bags available

We have all been there at some point. 

When we could use some FIRST AID.

Too many drinks the night before.

Sore muscles from skiing/hiking/biking too hard.

Altitude sickness and dehydration.

A case of the travel tummy.

That's where we come in.

Meet the Mini Emergency Kit Collection 

by theHELLOtote and Express Yourself.

IN SICKNESS + IN HEALTH mini emergency kit bag

RECOVERY KIT mini emergency kit bag

OH KIT, WHAT HAPPENED?!? mini emergency kit bag

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE... mini emergency kit bag

TAKE TWO AND DON'T CALL US IN THE MORNING mini emergency kit bag

GET YOUR KIT TOGETHER mini emergency kit bag

CUSTOM mini emergency kit bag

High Altitude Helpers.

Hangover Kits.

Morning After Magic.

The Post-Party Pack.

Travel Tamers.

Call it what you will - it's perfect for destination events.

Seven great new designs and more coming soon.

Custom options available as well.

Stuff with your own goodies.

Or let us do that for you!

Consider these for your wedding.

Because we don't want your guests stuck in their hotel room.

We want them out and about.

And at your wedding, preferably.

word :: today is not quite over

I've been thinking of this phrase a lot these past few years.

Even more so these past few weeks.

Especially when I find myself with far too many thoughts of putting off 

to-dos and projects and tasks until tomorrow.

"I'll do that tomorrow."

"Maybe tomorrow."

"Starting tomorrow..."

Why not start now?

Today is not quite over.