My New Endeavor: A Peak Into Iris Reads

So I read. A lot. My kids also read a lot. And that’s only increased since the twins are now able to do full chapter books and I work part-time at a library. And given how much time I’ve been spending on Bookstagram, I found that I wanted to actually participate and start a positive, kid-friendly bookstagram account. Thus began Iris Reads.

I’m already having so much fun, too! If you are at all interested in books, from fiction to nonfiction, from middle grade reading to young adult reading, please follow me on Instagram at iris_reads. I’m hoping to do a monthly recap journal entry, too, with my favorite reads for the month along with some standout reads that my kids want to share. January’s recap will be forthcoming this week and I’ve already knocked out two books for February, too!

The Season of Process: A Cozy Winter Mantle

Sometimes the process is easy. You have a vision in your head and you execute it and everything works out for the best. Most of the time for me, I have no idea what I want until it all comes together.

What I knew I wanted: something cozy and neutral that would work with the existing palette of our living room. I knew I wanted to incorporate this vintage plate with a winter scene. I knew that I wanted brass candlesticks and wooden candlesticks. I knew that my large white mirror would work well to build on. Other than that? I had no idea where this was going.

The best advice I can give as a creative is to keep bringing things together until it clicks. I found this yarn at a craft store and it looked like the perfect readymade tree garland. The organ music came from a small shop in Taylors, South Carolina. It didn’t end up in the final iteration of the mantle because I used it elsewhere (stay tuned!) but it helped to invoke the feel I was going for…vintage and classic but decidedly more organic than traditional.

The cedar wreath was the best I could find and came from Joanna Gaines’ Hearth & Hand line at Target. I secured the plate in the middle by using floral wire attached to a plate hanger. The large pinecones were at our grocery store and all the ribbon is vintage (I collect it!)

This birch garland is all the rage on Instagram but I couldn’t leave well enough alone and had to make it a bit more original. I painted it with this pearlescent paint in a white opal color way, to add a bit of sparkle.

Ultimately, I could not have done this without inspiration. The Ballard Designs catalog had a simple cedar wreath hanging in the center of a mirror on a wide ribbon which I recreated. And I watched endless Instagram stories in an attempt to perfectly hang my garland on the mantle without damaging it (command hooks and floral wire! Who knew?!)

But it was really Kristen of Ella Claire Blog that I truly owe so much to—especially her mixing of faux garland and fresh eucalyptus on her family room mantle that I couldn’t wait to recreate. The eucalyptus adds so much depth and was only $6 from Trader Joe’s—inexpensive enough that I don’t mind switching it out every few weeks until after Christmas. It smells lovely and looks so full and lush and I cannot recommend this method enough.

I couldn’t really decide on one stocking to represent the Parker Five so instead I chose several! The boys gravitated towards the large knit ones and Rhiannon, my animal lover, immediately claimed the faux fur stocking on the end. Aria, who is such a design-guru already, loved the diamond pattern on her stocking and Isla, possibly the most easiest going big sister ever, was fine with her choice. I found the initial ornaments at Walmart of all places and they match perfectly.

My trick to hanging the pinecones? Plant hangers screwed into the end and some vintage ribbon. That’s it!

The texture and richness of so many layers together really activates the cozy vibe for me. I love the effect of the asymmetry of the candlesticks and the garland. I love how there are only three colors but because they are in such diverse fabrics and mediums, it all feels cohesive. And I love the sparkly, battery-powered fairy lights—a fabulous Amazon find!

I don’t know about you, but sparkly wood next to a navy velvet ribbon speaks to my design soul.

I’m almost ready to show more areas in our home as I finish up our Christmas decorating but I was so happy to finish this mantle that I now get to enjoy by the light of Hallmark Channel movies.

Vintage Pickin' in Greenville, South Carolina

Vintage Pickin’ weekend has come and gone and I have to admit, I’m a little sad. I was so excited to meet everyone and see all the amazing vintage styling inspiration (and shop of course!)

The highlight of the weekend was meeting Liz Marie Galvan of the fabulous Liz Marie Blog and having my copy of Cozy White Cottage signed! She was so incredibly kind and spent time getting to know (and hugging!) each person, which made it an exemplary meet-the-author experience.

The Christmas vignettes were my favorite and I can’t get over how creative everyone was! Naturally, Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year so I was inspired to go home and order a few Christmas trees. Or three. I’m thinking the twins’ definitely need a white tree for their room to go with their American Girl doll trees, yes?

That amazing sled looks familiar, right? A similar one pops up every Christmas at our house for our family photos and now I’m totally going to make it into a holiday decoration this year, too.

Everything was so well curated and fun to look through, I probably could’ve spent several more hours here enjoying myself.

You can find the full list of the vendors here. I have plans to make it to the Alabama Vintage Pickin’ next year for sure!

Liam and Calum's Room

Did you know that you can pack an incredible amount of stuff into a house with seven people over the course of six years? I am utterly gobsmacked at the sheer amount of stuff that is currently ruling my life. I think that’s why for the boys’ new room inspiration, I am drawn to minimalist, clean lines with personality. Both of my boys are easygoing and relaxed and I feel like capturing that is key to their new space.

From top left clockwise: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

Vintage Carnival

I was just thinking back to how fun it was to put together this vintage twilight carnival shoot and have it published in Gothesque. What an exhilarating experience!

Jacksonville, Florida

I'm heading to Florida! Which, of course, means I can offer my very favorite sessions: skylight photos on the beach! These are very limited and are only available at twilight on the dates above, so please contact me to reserve your session very soon.