blue skies smiling

So here's a fun and procrastinating, let's not think about the fact that I still haven't filed my taxes, (or even filed the extension yet -- UGH), tax day post . . .

I've often thought that if I could only ever look at one thing for the rest of my life . . . I think I would pick the sky. You may have heard the famous quote by Vincent Van Gogh, "Looking at the stars always makes me dream." Well, I kinda feel the same!

Whether it's filled with twinkly stars or is a deep, solid blue (or pours rain, as my friends know is a favorite), the sky and all that is in it, just makes me dream. It often catches me off guard with its magnificence, and I could, and do many times, just stop and gaze, in thankful wonder.

. . . It's just so ever-stretching, awe-inspiring, BEE-U-ti-full!! :)

my thoughts, faithParapalla Design ShoppeApril 15, 2015 Comments

behind the seen: ashleigh & mark

I've been looking forward to sharing this sweet story of my friends, Ashleigh and Mark, and the background of their wedding day designs for quite some time now! I'd originally planned to post in November, around their first anniversary, but then thought it might be kinda fun to share around Valentine's Day, so here we are! :) Ashleigh is a friend I met through University of Mobile, and truly is one of the sweetest, joyful, and most sincere people I know. If her name/face looks familiar, you may have read this feature on birthday skydiving that she contributed to last year.

behind the seenParapalla Design ShoppeFebruary 12, 2015Comment

a year of thanks

Last month, October 23rd marked one full year since launching this "new little corner of my design world", with a hope and passion "to create more pretty in the world through collaborative graphic design."

Its been a busy, fun, and stretching year, but I think that's part of the beauty of starting something new! It's an adventure, with twists and turns along the way to whatever the destination may be, and ideally, your life becomes more enriched through it.

generalParapalla Design ShoppeNovember 27, 2014Comment

the world needs a little more silly.

And you can help with that! :) I'm even gonna throw out and pull for, a special date for this to happen, just in case you need an excuse: October 23rd. (So if you're reading this in the immediate present, you've got a week to think on it!)

And here's why I say this about being more silly -- In a world flooded with uncertainties, chaos, and fear, I vote for being as intentional as you can to enjoy little things in life and/or create your own silly, good, fun. So much of what I try to write about and lift up on parapalla really is based on the most simple things in our lives; things that make me, and I know others too, happy.

my thoughtsParapalla Design ShoppeOctober 17, 2014Comment

behind the seen: rianna & steven

So, I anticipated writing more this month, but with starting a new job and taking two out-of-town trips, extra time for posting hasn't exactly been easy to come by. What was easy to come by however, was a great behind the seen story from one of my very best friends (going on 15 years now), Rianna Freeman Turner.

behind the seenParapalla Design ShoppeSeptember 30, 2014Comment

behind the seen: liza & trey

I've been thinking about doing a feature like this for a little while now, thinking it might be kind of fun to start doing some behind the "seen" background stories of different designs; in particular, the wedding pieces I've been able to work on.

So here we are. Behind the Seen, post #1! I'm catching up with my brides a year-ish after their big "I do's," for thoughts and reflections on that sweet, sweet time and how the parapalla designed, printed pieces factored into the big picture.

behind the seenParapalla Design ShoppeAugust 28, 2014BTS, designsComment

have a hobby?

Happy August, friends! With all the crazy going on around us, all over the world (and man, is there ever so much), I think it's good to take a pause from time to time and think about things that aren't quite so heavy; to strive for a good balance. Jumping back on the random fact friday train is a small way for me, and you too, to do just that. Since it's been a little while, I thought I'd summarize the "why" of this little initiative . . .

random fact fridayParapalla Design ShoppeAugust 8, 2014#lifeaboutlifeComment

feeling free.

I considered keeping a random fact friday post/theme this month, but decided to hit pause in July, exercise a little creative writing freedom, and pick it back up in August.

On this site, whether through a design or my blog, I like to recognize and celebrate the small and large parts of life -- the things that go into making us, "us." I kept thinking this month about "freedom." Of course it was spurred with our country's fourth of July celebrations -- which are so much fun! I mean, who doesn't love a good hot dog with a beautiful fireworks backdrop?? :)

my thoughts, faithParapalla Design ShoppeJuly 22, 2014Comment

rff wrap up: birthday skydiving!

. . . But no, not my birthday skydiving. No skydiving here for this gal, ha . . . Though there was a time I actually wanted to skydive. But that was before the 300 ft monstrosity of "fun" called a skycoaster entered the picture. I willingly put myself on this in Kissimmee, Florida, back in the days of working at Disney in my early 20s.

From what I understand, it still holds the record as the world's tallest skycoaster and records a top speed of 76 mph. "The longest minute and a half of your life." . . . I mean, go big or go home, right?!? (though at the time, it was just my only option, ha)

random fact fridayParapalla Design ShoppeJune 30, 2014#lifeaboutlifeComment

birthday standouts

I don't know about any of you, but so far for me, June has been a WHIRLwind — but in great and memorable ways!

The first week of June I got to host BFF Jill and her kiddos (sans Sam) a couple days in Bham. And then directly following their visit, hosted a couple days for my brother and sis-in-law in from Atlanta, Pete and Fernanda (Fer, for short). And I then jumped on a plane June 6 for a work trip to Baltimore for a week; first time there — loved it!

random fact fridayParapalla Design ShoppeJune 20, 2014Comment

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