WAHM

When I was pregnant the question was often, "How are you going to do it when the baby comes?"

The "it" was work as much as I do and care for my children simultaneously and I said I didn't know, it would just work out. And it has, mostly. If I didn't love what I do so much I wouldn't be able to keep going the way that I do. I love knowing that I have a hand in one of the most important days in someone's life. I love being there when my clients create memories and I feel fortunate that I can put my creativity to good use. When I am not at home I never worry about Eloise and Spencer. I often feel guilty for leaving them so much and that my work takes up time that we should have together, but I never worry. My parents are dream caregivers and Chris is an exceptional Dad. In fact, Chris handles caring for both kids so well that at my last wedding he sent me a photo of Eloise in the bath, Spencer bathed and in bed. It was 6:56pm. I'm lucky if I get Eloise down by 8:30pm when I'm on my own.

The biggest struggle, I am finding, comes with the day to day. I am struggling to figure out the best way to handle endless emails, field phone calls and work on projects for clients while keeping both kids entertained, making sure everyone is fed and staying ahead of the housework. I never seem to accomplish it all in a day and if I don't write down what I need to do it doesn't happen. An entire conversation or idea gone - poof! - unless it's on paper.

What I am trying to do now, as a WAHM (that's Work at Home Mom), is not easy. My 'office' is in the middle of the living room which means shutting myself off to the needs of my children or only working when they are asleep or with my parents. My Mom & Dad often offer to help with the kids before I even have to ask, but I still run around like a crazy person trying to get it all done. These days I never sit down unless it is for the purpose of feeding Spencer or working on the computer, if I am up from my desk there is something to be done around the house. Phone calls are an opportunity to fold laundry.   

Last Saturday I took on my biggest wedding to date, doing all of the planning and handling all of the decor. I handmade each sign, every piece of stationery, picked up every decor item and assembled a team to set it all up. It was a lot to take on and in the week leading up to the wedding Chris was in Toronto where he was the best man in another wedding. I spent several late nights working on seating plans, making place cards and hand lettering chalkboard signs, scared that I could not complete everything during the day with both kids underfoot. My parents assisted a lot with Eloise and Spencer and it all worked out (of course), but a crazy few weeks and made me consider what I can do to make life easier on myself. For the sake of my family it might be time to hire in a little help.

Oh Hay

Blog posts have been rather light lately and you know why? Because I am so freaking busy. I am so busy with these little ones and this wedding season that I actually shouldn't be blogging right now, I should be cutting out escort cards and painting a chalkboard sign now that everyone is asleep. But you know what, I needed a breather tonight. Today felt like I was running and couldn't catch a break. I didn't get out of my pajamas until 2:30pm and the only reason I showered was because I had to go downtown to meet clients. I did manage to get a fair bit done today, without plunking Eloise in front of the tv even (yay me?), but my to-do list is still miles long. Oh, and we're going 'camping' this weekend which I am equal parts looking forward to and feeling guilty about when there is so much prep still required for my next wedding. Also, there is packing and I don't even know what one packs to go camping let alone camping with two young children. Roughing it has never really been my thing.

This summer has flown by and I am still struggling to find a balance between mom time and work time. It all just kinda bleeds into one and I have been up more nights than I care to think of until 2am working just to fit it all in. Thankfully Chris handles Spencer's nighttime feed (like the rockstar Dad that he is) in order to make sure I sleep, but it is still exhausting and I'm not sure if super late nights are even the answer to making it work. But then again, who knows if there is an answer.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I love being a mom to these babies and I really love doing what I do with Smitten, it's just overwhelming to do all the things that I need to and the things that I want to at the same time. It's my busy season so I know that the Fall will be different but it's hard to see the end of the tunnel when our next free weekend is not until October 11th. If I just keep moving forward it will all work out. Right?

Mother-Daughter Maternity Photos

Mother's Day is this weekend and in celebration, 100 Layer Cakelet is featuring Moms and their babes all week long. Well, I had the opportunity to be one of these Moms as the maternity photoshoot Eloise and I did with Christie Graham Photography a few months ago was featured on the blog yesterday. What a treat!

{100 layer cakelet}

The photos that Christie took are so beautiful and she did so using good old fashioned film, wow! In addition to the ever-talented Christie I want to send a huge thank you to the other people who made this shoot come together so beautifully: Emily Pedlow of Denise Elliott Makeup Artistry for perfect hair & makeup, Christine Lingerie for stunning lingerie, Celsia Floral for ethereal floral crowns and my partner in just about everything, Devon, who came along to help with styling and Eloise-wrangling.

Here are more favourites from the day, what a wonderful memento of this special time in our lives. 

Loving Colourfully

When my partner Devon and I put our heads together really good things happen. I guess that's what you call a partnership, we're just super fortunate that ours not only works, but works exceptionally well.

Last week Smitten took part in a wedding event where we were tasked to present a trend for the 2014/15 wedding season. Our trend was inspired by Kate Spade and we called it "Loving Colourfully", a spin on the Kate Spade motto "Living Colorfully". Our vision was for a striped and polka-dotted food + beverage table filled with lots of pink and green florals, fun treats and quirky yet sophisticated details. We brought a super talented florist on board, paired with a great caterer, collaborated with the best balloon guy we know and thankfully had my Mom to help us with the sewing. Although there were times when we didn't think we'd be able to pull it all together the way we wanted everything turned out in the end, not as we imagined, but better.

This Kate Spade ad served as our inspiration:

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And this is how we interpreted it:

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By the time set up was complete what we saw was an incredible presentation full of fun, colour and joy. It was all very Smitten and very much a product of the work Devon and I create together. Yum Yum! 

Psst... want to see more? Check out these images on Pinterest.

Eloise's Circus Birthday

This week Eloise's Circus Themed birthday party was featured on On To Baby, one of my very favourite family blogs. The post was so full of colour and joy, with beautiful images by Jamie Lauren Photography and Christie Graham Photography, a perfect representation of the wonderful party we held for Eloise last year.

It's a little funny that it took us until Eloise turned three to get this party published but that's just the way things go. And better late than never, as this is certainly a celebration that needed sharing.

{on to baby}

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To see more of Eloise's Circus Themed party have a gander at the full gallery.

Every Day I'm Hustlin'

{designs by maria}

Until last week I cared for Eloise, kept up with my growing business, ran a tight ship around the house, looked after another (very) busy child, met with clients, took on creative projects and even managed to fit in work outs. Everyday I was hustling.

Last week marked the first in a long time that I've woken up without feeling mildly panicked at how to accomplish everything I need/want to in a day. I didn't rush anywhere or get flustered, I wasn't frustrated, didn't yell or lose my patience. Last week I took it slow, really enjoyed my time with Eloise, caught up with friends and worked, all quite seamlessly. With the Baby in a head down position now (or so we hope) I have been advised to stop working out in the hopes of maintaining this optimal position for delivery. My midwife has actually demanded that I become a 'couch potato' but walks on the sea wall are still permitted. That I can do.

More time has allowed me to take a good look at what my hustle has accomplished since Smitten officially launched in November. I can also see the reason this pregnancy has been so challenging - I have not had, nor taken, the time to slow down. Shifting my focus to my family and Smitten means that things are changing for the better, even if I will still be a tired, grumpy pregnant lady for a few more weeks (at which point I become a tired, but happy, new mom of two). 

If I've learned anything in the last several months it's that there is no slowing me down, eight months pregnant or not. Here's a snippet of some serious Smitten hustle:

We produced a New Year's Eve wedding creative.

Planned a romantic wedding proposal.

Created the decor and styled a Star Wars themed Baby Shower.

Designed a Bat Mitzvah candy bar, complete with a marquee 'L'.

Showcased a table with our favourite 2014 Pantone colours, Dazzling Blue & Cayenne.

And put together the best birthday party these eight year olds will ever attend.

Happy New Year, Indeed

{wedding chicks}

Just in time for us to break out the bubbly yesterday, our New Years Eve wedding creative was featured on Wedding Chicks (which just so happens to be one of my fave wedding resources!).

Thanks, Wedding Chicks, for the awesome post! We're pretty jazzed about being able to do what we do for our amazing clients and producing something spectacular like this shoot with other talented people is just another reason why I really, really love my job.

For the full feature click here. What a great way to finish off the year!

PS. Does that Officiant look familiar? That's because it's my brother Thomas, who saved the day last minute when one of the models cancelled. T, you're the best.

Completely Smitten

The last few weeks have been a blur. We've been working on a rebrand for months now and last week Smitten Events finally launched with our new website and Facebook page. Getting all of our social media up and running was the most time consuming part of our launch but it was so worth it. The results are stunning and our new brand is so totally us. 

In the midst of our launch we have been preparing for a New Years Eve creative shoot with a very talented group of event industry people. The shoot took place today and I am once again blown away by what we create... Devon & Robyn, we make a stellar team. The amazing Jamie Hodge of Jamie Lauren Photography captured everything and I know that her eye for detail will make the work we put into styling really shine. I feel blessed to have collaborated with so many incredible people today, thank you to Denise Elliott Makeup Artistry, Celsia Florist, Love by Phoebe (such beautifully detailed stationery), Anna Elizabeth Cakes, Partyskirts (co-founder Lauren was our stunning bride!), Blush Bridal, The Tux Store, Chair Decor (those black & gold polka dot linens are perfection) Pedersen's Rentals, Salmons's Rentals (how modern is a black ghost chair?) and our crew of gorgeous models. What a day!

A few snapshots I took while we worked: 

And could this photo be more swoon-worthy? Jamie, you out did yourself! 

Tomorrow we are at it again with another Smitten event. This time, a gathering for 40 at our local bistro-fave, The District, in celebration of Smitten's launch and to toast our industry colleagues before the Professional BC Wedding Awards. Tired as I feel right now, I can't wait to roll out the 'pink' carpet for our party tomorrow evening!

The rest of the week is busy with a long list of preparations as Saturday morning we leave for a week in Cabo San Lucas. Ole! Now, I wonder where I can find tiny pink water wings for my little mermaid in November?