lillypie goes to market ((zionsville brick street market recap))

You know the feeling where everything seems to fall into place? You're where you were meant to be doing what you were meant to do. You feel alive, joyful, at peace, and exuberant. The first time I felt this feeling was in college working at a summer camp teaching 6th graders about Jesus' love for them. I felt this way on my wedding day and again while holding my daughter for the first time.  Being an emotion led woman causes me to cherish these moments where life seems to fall in place--knowing very well that there is no chance to any of this. It's orchestrated by my loving God. This Saturday I participated in my first outdoor handmade market. It was a great day. A day where I felt like I was truly being myself--no pretending. no masks.  just me.....selling things that I think are pretty--that I made.

I'd be flat out lying right now if I told you that everything leading up to the market was puppies and rainbows--good Lord it was NOT.  I have major self-confidence struggles. There were many moments where I could not be convinced that the preparing and work was worth it. After my adorable handmade chalkboard sign fell off a table last Tuesday and shattered into a million pieces I was ready to call the wonderful folks putting on the market and pull from the show all together. I melted into a puddle and I allowed all the you're not good enough's, your accessories won't sell, you'll lose money, no one will even visit your booth, you're a joke  thoughts enter my mind. I went to bed convinced I would fall flat.

Luckily I have a wonderful "Laura Team" that talks me out of giving up...and slaps the sense into me that I desperately need.  I'm so grateful for them. They never give up on me---even though I easily give up on myself.

Friday night I went to bed and prayed. I didn't really know what to pray for....Dear God, Let me make a lot of money cuz I worked hard??.  Dear God, help me not to puke because I'm so nervous?????  Dear God, please bring cute babies to my booth that need accessorizing?? Everything seemed immature and selfish. 

I prepared. I made quality items that I thought were pretty, practical, and thoughtful. There was nothing else I could control--except for my attitude. I ended up praying to SHINE. I prayed that I would be filled with the JOY that only comes from Him. 

I woke up feeling confident. The day was wonderful from beginning to end.  Participating in this market was never about  making millions. It was about doing something that I love. Making handmade accessories is something I'm passionate about. Setting up shop and playing store is just about all the fun that I can handle.  I felt like I was bursting with happiness all day.

It was a lot of work that resulted in a lot fun that brought me to a point of feeling like I was ALIVE, FULL OF JOY, and DOING SOMETHING THAT WAS 'ME'. If you happen to be reading this and were there on Saturday, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for saying hello. Thank you for looking. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for a wonderful day.

:)  :) :) :)

little babe ((26 weeks))

HIGH: My little mister has a name. Scott chose the first name, I chose the middle--it's a happy compromise and I'm excited to share it soon.  I'm not quite ready to write it on the wall just yet---but getting close. Lilly was always Lilly from day one---so it's really nice to be able to call my gentleman by a name and not just  dude, boyfriend, or Ryder ( lilly has a thing for Tangled). 

I really thought that we were having another girl. I was quite shocked to hear "boy" at the 20 week ultrasound. I had my girl name all set to go, and in a weird pregnancy hormone infused way I kinda had to mourn my girl name. *Someday* **maybe** ***if having two doesn't kill me***

LOW: As with most women it is really hard to gain weight and see your body changing in ways that give you a little twinge. I've decided that people in general do not know how to talk to a pregnant woman. Or maybe---a pregnant woman doesn't know how to NOT take pregnancy comments personally. Regardless, the
"Oh you're about to pop!"  ((nope, have three more months!))
"You sure there aren't twins in there, dang!" (( nope, just one))
"That's going to be a BIG BOY"  ((pretty sure he's average))
"You seem bigger this time around"  (( yup, thanks for pointing that out))
" You look tired"  (( thanks, butt head))

I *know* the comments are not MEANT to offend. But garsh darn it---no one wants to hear comments about their size regardless if they are carrying a human or not. Just lie to me and tell me I look great and that I'm all belly. I'll love you and my double chin all the more.



WOAH: The nesting. Good LORD the nesting. I'm obsessed with redecorating. Not necessarily organizing like perhaps I should considering our house limitations, but  spray painting things.  If you're  black, or ugly, or looking at me a weird way you're going to get a glossy coat of white paint. Nothing is safe---even my pasta sauce jar from last night's spaghetti. 

lolliPOP collection ((the styled photoshoot))

lillypie has a whole new line of bright and beautiful bands, baubles, and brooches! i launched the line laaattteeee Monday night and am just over-joyed with the feedback i've received. if you sent me a text, fb message, post on the wall, or a convo via etsy---THANK YOU!!! i truly have the best friends and customers.

i'd love to share with you the photos from my styled photoshoot with Sarah-Beth Photography. I posted a few peeks in the previous post, but thought you'd be interested in seeing the entire themed shoot  in one place. it really is gorgeous all together and captures the feeling, essence, and style of my new collection *perfectly*.  if you didn't get the chance before--check out my post on the behind the scenes on how this lolliPOP collection came to be.----HERE

darling models, right?!

I debated doing a styled shoot---and I'm SO HAPPY that I did. I love these images and how it puts a story/face/idea to my products.

It's easy for me to say "all my headbands fit newborn-adult" but it is  great to be able to SHOW my customers. These photos allow me to do that.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these images!

ALL of the accessories in these images are available for purchase RIGHT NOW

in my shop!

www.lillypieaccessories.etsy.com

((happy wednesday, friends!))

behind the scenes of my new collection ((lolliPOP))

This week is an exciting week! I'm hanging up my teacher hat for a week and enjoying my toddler. It's hard to believe that in just a few short months there will be a newborn around again. I'm also launching my biggest and *brightest* collection ever. My spring collection has 30 new pieces and is full of eye catching, bold, delicious colors. In anticipation of this collection that will launch !!Tuesday!!,  I thought I'd share a little behind the scenes of how  my creative process evolved into lolliPOP!

Back in January I started thinking about what I wanted to do for spring. Last year I launched Pocket Full of Posies and it was a big success for lillypie. I knew I wanted to do another collection for  spring but didn't really know where to start.  My ideas started flowing after placing lilly's large lollipop from christmas in a mason jar on a shelf in our kitchen. Scott poked fun that I was using my daughter's present as a decoration in our home. When I think something is pretty--I display it. I don't think that's tooooo weird.

Around the same time I also started hearing about the big trends  for spring. Thank you fashion week!  COLOR is IN this season. On every page and every fashion blog the term COLOR POP was being mentioned. Another huge trend for spring that I admired was the pastel and sherbet colors. I've always been inspired by color and the spring/summer palette fits my design eye. 

Magazine features from InStyle Magazine

Then came PANTONE---ahhhhhh.

Then came the target ads ----swwoooonnnnnn

I was hooked  and drooling. I *knew* I needed to stray from my muted and soft colors and GO BOLD or GO HOME. :)

The concept of lolliPOP was born after marrying my love of the seasons trendiest colors with my increased fascination with the stocking stuffer turned home accessory.   LolliPOP is a collection of accessories that women of all ages can enjoy. It's a way to experiment with the trends without the FULL commitment of colored denim and neon chevrons. :)

I'm a visual girl so sketches were drawn, lists were made,  and prototypes were constructed.

a lillypie lollipop. :)

When coming up with  a set of new designs I like to think of a story. Who is my customer? What are they looking for? How can I make them happy? I want this collection to be an extension of my personality and full of products that I not only love but so does my customer.  Lots of thinking. Lots of planning. and a lot of conversations with husband and friends about my ideas.

True story, girlfriend. Print in my studio from YellowHeartArt

I wanted this collection to be full of EVERYDAY pieces.  I want items to be loved and worn often --lillypies aren't just fun photography props for family photoshoot or newborn photos---they are designed to be  everyday. 

In March--I began production. I narrowed down my 45 item list to a more manageable 30. I eliminated several designs that were not cohesive with my vision. I  also added 3 last minute designs ((as in --I made them 2 hours before my product photoshoot)) that are currently my FAVORITE of the entire collection.

Last week I brought my entire collection and a gaggle of fun lollipop props and met Sarah of Sarah-Beth Photography at her downtown studio for a styled shoot. We were joined by four darling little girls and their mothers for one of the most fun dress up sessions ever! The little models enjoyed licking *rather* large lollipops while their mothers dressed them up in fun dresses. I plopped my collection on the babes and the mommas while Sarah snapped away. I was BLOWN away by the entire afternoon.  I LOVE THIS JOB.  I met some darling women from Indianapolis who are gorgeous inside and out. Their little ones were happy, energetic, and full of life. I couldn't of asked for a better group to model this collection. My heart was full that day.

This collection is fun, bright, and cheerful.  It's trendy. It's classic. Lillypie is about making women feel put together and adorable.

Lillypie is loving your daughter and yourself.

I can't wait to share the entire collection with you! I hope you enjoyed the story of how it came to be!

Tuesday is going to be a fun day!! I hope you'll come back to see all the pretty things I have in store!