Home Tour in Echo Park, Los Angeles

Kathleen Whitaker, a minimalist LA jewelry designer, has a home in Echo Park that will inspire us all. The 1909 home is full of lush houseplants, along with artwork and designs from their artist friends.

Six things to adore about this home:

All the natural light pouring in from the abundant windows.
The kitchen's lack of upper cabinets and bold black lower cabinets with copper accents.
Each room has a unique and artistic light fixture.
The fur comforter in the guest bedroom.
Flea market finds, and artwork from friends, throughout the home.
Lush plants in all the rooms.

- photos via Remodelista

Wendy Correen Smith

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Carnivals & Birthdays & Wedding Planning & The Things In Between

Posted by Wendy Correen Smith

Life has been a whirlwind since our engagement, from carnivals to birthday parties to wedding dress and flower girl dress shopping. All of our planning, for this short 60 day engagement of ours, has been falling right into place. Its almost like we have an angel of a wedding planner in Heaven --- that we may just have.

I found my dress, with much help from my sisters. I ended up getting something I had not imagined myself wearing for our October wedding. I had a vision in mind and we were having no luck finding it. I should know better than to go shopping for something with an exact design in mind. Finally my sisters put me in a dressing room and just started bringing me dresses to try on. I was hesitant at first, because they were not what I had originally planned to wear. When I found my dress, I had this feeling that I didn't want to take it off. I knew instantly that it was the one! Then the sweet lady, the owner of the boutique, had me try on a veil and again it wasn't what I had in mind but it was absolutely perfect for my dress. She ended up making me a custom veil like the one she had me try on for free, as a kind wedding gift! The moment I let myself just go with the flow of the day, is the moment everything came together.

I feel so lucky to have a man by my side that is equally excited about our big day, and he's been a part of each & every detail (with the exception of my dress). All of the pressure you'd think we'd be under with such a short engagement has only reinforced the fact that we are so perfect for one another, so far it has been a whole lot of fun! Next week we are looking forward to sampling our wedding cake and I cannot wait to work out the look and taste of it. I'm imagining almond or the traditional wedding cake flavor for at least one layer with buttercream icing! Ryan has been playing potential first dance wedding songs for sometime now ---- as he twirls me around in the kitchen. Now he's getting even more specific, like picking the song for our walk down the aisle. My sister and the girls came over yesterday and we practiced the Whip Nae Nae dance in the living. Our friends and family are sharing in our excitement for the big day and it warms our hearts even more!

We met with our Pastor at a cute little coffeehouse --- Black Dog Coffeehouse --- and I enjoyed a Toasted Marshmallow latte while Ry sipped on his Dirty Blonde latte. We talked about our ceremony and our vision for the day. We felt a loving peace from him and a confidence that he'll make the most important part of our wedding day a deeply emotional yet fun experience for all of our loving guests. We plan to incorporate as many personal touches as we can. I've been reading love poems that make me cry, for weeks now, and it's going to be tough to pick just the right words to sum up my love for Ry.

Carnivals and birthday parties spice up our life as we plan for the big day!

Last Sunday, and this Sunday too, I spent time cleaning the house. I always feel rejuvenated for the start of a new week when Sunday is spent at home doing chores.

Ryan and I, and Mrs. PB, spend a lot of time on our back porch, just talking. We've shared many dreams and hopes, and fears and tears, and laughter out there. It's our go-to spot to connect and relax!

Our beautiful invitations arrived last week, and I couldn't have been happier with the look and quality. We got them from Wedding Paper Divas. Laney, our little kitty, was very curious about what was in the box.

A peek into our wedding dress shopping.

I get chills when I look at the flower girl dresses that my niece and my best friend's daughter will be wearing. I can vividly imagine their sparkling eyes and sweet smiles, and their soft laughter as they twirl around in their white dresses!

Have you tried this gourmet Birthday Cake gum by Project 7? I've heard they have a Wedding Cake flavor too, I haven't found it yet, but I cannot wait to try it. I finally found this one at Target yesterday. Yummy!

This is a wedding poem that I adore, and it definitely speaks to my heart as I think about my love for Ryan.

I Choose You

Life can be thought as a series of choices made;

We hope to look back and smile as our memories are replayed.

Those once in a lifetime moments aren't always quick to show

But when they do materialize, then somehow you just know.

I am happier now than I ever thought I would be;

I love the person you are and the person you make me.

We share an understanding, we share hopes and goals

Together, united, we're two halves of one whole.

I will never take for granted that you've given me your heart

And I gently carry it with me whenever we are apart.

In return, I give you mine, to cherish and to hold.

No promise is too great to make, you're worth your weight in gold.

Promises made. Vows declared.

A dream to build. A life to share.

I'm proud to utter the words 'I do'

As it tells the world that I choose you.

This soft and romantic bouquet is a current inspiration here.

And doesn't this wedding photograph just touch your blissful heart?

xo

Wen

Wendy Correen Smith

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A St. Helena Home Tour

Posted by Wendy Correen Smith

It's Saturday! I love the weekends, when I get to wake up slowly with my fiance and pup snoozing by my side. This morning is even sweeter because the rain is hitting the windows and the green grass is just glowing. We have a day full of wedding planning ahead of us. After we pick up our Cinnamon Dolce Latte's from Starbucks we are going to the jewelry store to look at wedding bands. This afternoon, I have an appointment to have my dress fitted. Then we get to end our Saturday at the pool celebrating my niece's birthday!

Lately I've been drawn to homes that have a neutral color palette. I'm guessing this has something to do with my desire to simplify my own life, therefore I find inspiration in the homes that have mastered the art of clean & simple living. This stunning St. Helena home is full of texture and pattern, yet it has a calming vibe thanks to the white walls and neutral furniture. I can't resist a home that is free of window coverings. There is nothing better than the beauty of nature filling your home with natural sunlight and the green glow of trees and grass.

- home tour via Aphro Chic and photography by Drew Kelly for the Wall Street Journal

I hope you and yours enjoy a peaceful and loving weekend.

xo Wen

Wendy Correen Smith

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God's Timing

Posted by Wendy Correen Smith

It's raining outside and I can hear thunder in the distance. I have quiet time at home to reflect on life. I could hurry about my evening to work on our wedding, but tonight, instead I want to take a moment to think about my grandma who passed away two days after I wrote this post about her.

I shared this photo on Instagram a few days after she passed. With this caption:

The car was loaded, the pup was with Ry's parents, we picked up our Starbucks and we were headed to Nashville to celebrate his birthday! Then I got the phone call that grandma wasn't going to be with us much longer. Due to certain events leading up to that morning, we were behind schedule and only ten minutes from grandma. There is no doubt in my heart, God had his hand in orchestrating the entire day. My birthday boy has been wiping my tears and comforting my broken heart all weekend long. He's reminded me over and over that I'm being strong, even when I feel weak. His support has kept me calm, and with the passing hours, since watching my grandma take her last breath I've felt more and more at peace. The calm has allowed me to feel her loving presence. I continue to thank God that I was in town and by my Grandma's side before she went to Heaven. My birthday boy proves his love to me everyday, and this weekend he's been my rock and strength, and I hope he knows every single day how very much I love him! This year as we celebrate his life we have a brand new angel with us!

The morning of July 17th was an exciting one, Ryan and I were headed to Nashville to dance the weekend away and celebrate his birthday. There was a little piece of me that was worried about leaving town because I knew my grandma was being watched closely for a cold that was causing the hospice nurses concern. After we dropped Mrs. off with Ryan's parents, we were only ten minutes from Lee's Summit when I got the dreaded phone call. Ryan and I hurried to her side and when I got there I knew it was the last day I'd feel her touch. She was not awake, but she knew I was with her. She was able to raise her eyebrows and squeeze my hand. Ryan stepped outside for a moment and insisted that I say my last words to her before everyone else got there. Nothing in life can prepare you for that moment when you have to come up with your last words. I did have a few special things I needed her to know and a few requests for her when she gets to Heaven. I reassured her that the rest of the family was coming and not to be scared.

Everyday since then I've thought about God's timing. I was not supposed to be in town. I keep thinking about how things would have been different had I been in Nashville or California (our original plan) when I got that phone call.

My grandma did not pass until everyone that was planning to get there arrived, with the exception of my aunt and uncle that were hours away in Texas. My little brother was the last person to arrive and very soon after he got there she took her last breath with each of her loved ones by her side. She waited for all of us to be there and it warms my heart.

She passed at 1:15 in the afternoon and there was a peace in the room that cannot be explained. It was almost like her soul was still in the room with us and able to give us comfort as we looked at her body.

All of our family is handling her passing different, which I'm sure is normal for everyone. For me, I feel like it hit me like a ton of bricks at first. I cried for at least 48 hours straight with snot running down my face and puffy eyes that were hard to keep open. There was a moment when I calmed down and memories of how she gracefully handled my papa's passing came rushing to me. She lost the love of her life, and managed to mourn his passing with strength and grace. She's always been my inspiration, and those memories of her faith helped me to snap out of my deepest of pain.

One afternoon I was busy working and forgot about her passing for only a moment, I had the thought that happened to me every week "I'm going to go see grandma tonight" enter my mind as quickly as I had to stop it. Visiting her had become a part of my weekly routine, and to just all of sudden stop has been difficult. I miss her touch, and smell, and her sweet loving voice. I miss telling her good night and hearing her tell me to be careful and to hurry home for dinner. I just miss her.

As much as I miss her, I can still feel her presence with me. I have her photo on my dresser and I see her face and feel her warmth each day.

An Instagram photo of my niece Adalyn,

She saw all of her family shedding tears over the last few days. She even cried some, although she didn’t know exactly why. Yesterday she rode her tricycle around the house and she sang me a song that went “tell me about your wor-ries!” I said “do you want me to tell you about my worries?” to which she replied “NO, it’s JUST a song” as if I should already know that. I asked where she heard it, and she proudly told me she made it up. It’s only fitting for this time of our lives. Then before she went swimming she danced and jumped around with her pure and innocent heart. I realized in that moment, that life goes on, little girls still dance for no reason at all, the butterflies still float in the air, fluffy white clouds still decorate the bluest of skies. I also came to realize the way I miss Grandma right now, will most likely be the way I miss her forever. I’m going to grow comfortable with the piece of my heart that went to Heaven with her on Friday. And I will spend each day of my life looking for little slices of Heaven here on earth. She is our angel and she will continue to bring joy into our lives, as all of our angels do, if we can simply see.

Now, instead of being sad as I miss my grandma, I try to make a conscious effort to live each day to the fullest all the while paying attention for the little glimpses of Heaven here on earth --- it's so easy to miss the little miracles of life as we hurry through it.

After my grandpa passed away, my grandma and I would listen to this song on the way to the grocery store. We had the nursing home chaplain sing this song, with her beautiful voice, before grandma passed. I could see grandma's eye brows moving as she sang, and I know it brought her peace and comfort in her last hours with us.

xo
Wen

Wendy Correen Smith