Inslee is a personal friend and also one of my favorite artists! I was lucky enough to attend her first ever watercolor class this week. It was such a great time and I even learned some great tips for drawing figures. Now, I definitely won’t be quitting my day job anytime soon. I’ll leave actual artwork to the professionals.
Inslee’s adorable assistant Ophelia. I have to say, Ophelia is much tinier in person. She’s so sweet and just bopped around all night saying hello to everyone.
Inslee and Ophelia hard at work!
The class was two hours and flew by. I went in feeling very nervous and intimidating, but walked away feeling a little bit more confident. Inslee taught us how the process she follows. Watching her work was worth the whole class though. It was amazing! She stood at the class walking us through each step.
We started with these little figures based on the way the model was positioned. Honestly this was the most eye-opening part of the process. It wasn’t until Inslee broke it down that I could really “see” the movement and body position. Who knew!!!
So once we penciled the figures, we penned the lines we wanted to keep. Then we erased the pencil and started the watercoloring. As you can see, I struggled here. Ha!
My interpretation above and Inslee’s masterpiece below. (Not kidding, it took her like four minutes tops to whip up the watercolored part.)
This affordable rechargeable LED lamp is cute and then made even cuter with this wicker lampshade! 💡✨ No cords needed- just charge and place wherever you want. (Will be extra perfect for dining outdoors this summer!) 💫 Comment “lamp” and I’ll send you links to the LED lamp ($38 for a pair!) and the lampshade (available in a few styles- including a darling blue).
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
@pennylinndesigns and I hosted a “learn to needlepoint” class this past weekend and it was everything ✨ Needlepoint has been such a bright spot in my life over the past five years- and it’s gotten me through some difficult times. Because it’s helped me so much, sharing this hobby with others has turned into a mini life mission of mine. To sit in a room (my beautiful office space designed by @clare.sull!) with pro stitchers and needlepoint newbies alike was one of my dreams come true. I loved seeing women chatting, meeting, and bonding over this beautiful craft 🪡 Honestly, the needlepoint world is (sadly) filled with a lot of gatekeeping and competitiveness; this weekend proved that it doesn’t have to- and shouldn’t- be this way! It’s for EVERYONE. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas in your life or you’re working on heirloom stockings for your family, there’s room for everyone at this table.
📍 Leave a comment saying “needlepoint” and I’ll send you my go-to resources for getting started with needlepoint!
Motherhood is pure JOY to me– nothing makes me happier than being with my boys! I wear my @haverhillcollection personalized jewelry every day as a symbol of my love for them– it’s a constant reminder for me of my greatest purpose. To celebrate my first Mother’s Day with TWO boys, I sent in my Haverhill necklace to add Rory’s birthstone and initial alongside Jack’s! I also got a second bracelet to stack with Jack’s. Love that this personalized jewelry can be altered as our family grows. Haverhill’s jewelry is designed to be lived in (perfect for busy moms!) made from solid 14k gold with high-quality birthstones so I never have to take it off to exercise, shower, or sleep. Use code MOTHERSDAY15 for 15% off!
Hope you had a great time in your class. Put some effort and you can soon become an artist.
apartments at Nungambakkam
How fun! Love how yours turned out!
Emily
laughliveandshop.blogspot.com
I love Inslee, so fun that you got to attend a class!
xo, Syd
anchoredinthesouth.com
I bought her 2015 calendar and love it!
This looks like such a fun event to attend, I love all of Inslee's work!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
How fun! You did great!!
Her Heartland Soul
herheartlandsoul.com
Amazing!! You're a wonderful artist!
Emma | Seeking the South