I’m sitting on my couch with a cozy blanket, a pup laying over my feet & a box of Puffs Plus Lotion. It’s a bit humbling to ring in the first week of the new year sniffling, sneezing & feeling terribly under the weather. (It’s actually why I’ve been a little MIA on social media this week, and it took me longer to write this post then I initially intended!!)
I wrote a 2014 Year in Review post, and love having an online journal of my year. I knew I wanted to do it again for 2015, even if it is 11 days late:)
2015, you were an adventure that’s for sure!! So many unexpected but WONDERFUL things happened!! I’m in awe, actually. You were my second year in as a entrepreneur; you were the year I took my business full-time. I visited NC, SC, MD, St Thomas and traveled all over VA for my amazing couples. Creative at Heart hosted it’s first three sold-out conferences; I formed the C@H Team and launched the C@H shop. I also launched the shop for DSE and refreshed the face of my brand.
It was a whirlwind. I learned so much about myself & about my business. Let’s take a look back, shall we?
JANUARY … We hosted the very first Creative at Heart Conference in Staunton, VA!! It’s hard to believe it was only one year ago, yet it also feels like yesterday!! We announced dates for the second conference with tickets selling out in just 48 hours!! I also began putting together the C@H team (more on this soon!).
I also worked with Amanda on her Floral Workshop! She asked me to style the shoot, which was SO easy because of all the GORGEOUS flowers her attendees created!! (Melissa Arlena Photography)
I ended my month styling a fun & laid-back shoot with Hope, Ally & Courtney!
FEBRUARY … I styled a Valentine’s Boudoir Shoot with Ashley & Katherine in Richmond!! I also saw my very first PRINT feature (ah!) and began to gear up for our 2nd C@H in March!
MARCH … I worked with Hope on an amazing Kate Spade themed shoot for her HTP Workshop! One my favorite shoots to date!!
I worked with Ashley on her workshop shoot, too! I truly LOVE working with photographers and helping them make their styled shoot dreams come to life! It’s fun to meet the attendees & style for the purpose of educating!
I also collaborated with Alicia Lacey Photography on this BREATHTAKING styled shoot!! I loved seeing the flowers by So Lovely Weddings & am blown away by how Alicia captured everything!!
I also collaborated with Chelsea on her brand shoot! Krista and Chelsea were working together on her new brand & website & I was so honored they reached out to me to style some images for her website!!
We hosted the second C@H conference in Roanoke, VA!! It was an amazing weekend and I realized more & more how much I love this community we’re building!
I ended the month feeling a little surreal: I left my 9-5 and become a full-time small business owner!! It’s hard to believe my #ontheroadtofulltime journey had come to an end, yet it fueled my passion to continue loving on and encouraging others who are looking for joy in the journey!
APRIL … Wedding Season officially kicked off!!! I started my year with 2 amazing weddings:
Casey & Travis: these two had such a beautiful, classic wedding day! (Matoli Keely Photography)
Darby & Chad: even the rain didn’t hold these two down! I loved watching them say I Do! (Katie Nesbitt Photography)
And with a new wedding season, came my first year of DSE Interns! These 5 girls helped keep me sane, organized & did so much heavy-lifting throughout the wedding season!!! I’m so grateful for them & how much they taught me about myself & team-work!! (Headshots by Emily Marie Photography)
I hosted my first workshop: Styling with DSE! I LOVED meeting these amazing women for a day dedicated to styling!
We also hosted the first C@H Team Retreat, complete with team pictures by Annamarie Akins Photography. These three girls have been such a JOY in my life. I am so thankful that the Lord brought them into my life in the most perfect way!!
MAY & JUNE … Oi! So many amazing weddings, so little time!!! May & June starts my 12-in-a-row stretch!! These two months were consumed with gorgeous brides & beautiful wedding days!
Rachel & Matt: I can’t share the images yet, but picture coral peonies & mountain views… and the most perfect May day!
Lindsay & Jeff: I’ll never forget how willing everyone was to help, and how much love poured around them the entire day! Pictures coming soon!!
Natalie & Ryan: I remember chatting with this girl over dinner in Charlottesville! I loved seeing her wedding day dreams come to life, even with all the obstacles in our way!! (Abby Grace Photography)
Maghon & Chris: These two sure know how to throw a party!!! Loved being apart of this bright & bold southern day! (Anna Paschal Photography)
Megan & Jeff: Spanish moss, heartfelt details & Charleston? You know this wedding was a stunner! (Red Apple Tree Photography)
Francesca & Jared: Their images make me swoon! Her peony bouquet will always be a favorite!! (Dyanna Joy Photography)
Laura & Nick: Palm trees, flip flops & mimosas? Laura & Nick had me as “St Thoms”!! (The Photography Smiths)
Ally & John: The Allison’s! They have quickly become one of my favorite couples (& most flexible!)! Ally, you’re stunning! (Jessica Crews Photography)
Emily & Ryan: When you design one of your best friend’s bouquets, you never ever forget it! Loved everything about their big day!! (Jillian Michelle Photography)
Christina & Eric: I think the Clifton Inn is my favorite venue, or at least in the top 3!! And with a pink color palette, this Sunday wedding was a winner! (Andrea Pesce Photography)
JULY … Vacation!!! Hooray!! I was so excited to kick off the month vacationing with my family in the Outer Banks!!
We came home from vacation and got right to work: buying our first home!! AH!! We’d been searching for months & found the perfect home in the perfect little town. Moving on a wedding weekend was a bit crazy, but sleeping in our new home made it all worth it.
I also had one gorgeous wedding in July: Sarah & Alex! I’ll never forget the herb centerpieces her dad grew & how breathtaking she looked in her gown!!
Amanda and I hosted our first joint workshop (yay!) at her studio in Stafford!! This was a jam-packed day full of flowers, styling and biz talk!
We ended our month attending a coaching session with Katelyn & Michael and taking some of my new favorite pictures! We love these two!! They are SO wise and I’m so grateful for how open & honest they always are.
AUGUST … What a month!!! I jumped in swinging with so many incredible things! I didn’t have any weddings this month, but I was able to stretch my creative wings and pour back into my business:
I styled Abby Grace Photography’s workshop in DC. I loved these classic details & always love working with Abby:)
Laura & I headed to Chicago for Trouvaille. It was so great to spend time with Laura, and learn from masterminds in my industry!
When I arrived back home, I styled Hope Taylor’s HTP Workshop in Fredericksburg! This romantic shoot was so fun to work on!
I ended my month traveling up to Maine to speak at The Working Retreat! I am so honored when Annmarie asked me to participate and LOVED my time with these women at this gorgeous home!!
SEPTEMBER … Wedding season picked back up!! I had 4 unbelievable weddings this month, one of them being the biggest I had ever done & a highlight in my career:
Jackie & Brion: Picture Charlottesville mountain & fluffy, blue hydrangeas! I can’t wait to share the images with you!
Corlyn & Jimmy: She was such an excited bride!! I will never forget their classic Yorktown nuptials! (Michael & Carina Photography)
Anna & Jacob: With a venue like Big Spring Farm, you know it’s a showstopper; I can’t wait to show their pictures soon!!
Amelia & David: My biggest wedding ever & it poured down rain – don’t worry, the rain plan was even better than Plan A!! (Luke & Ashley Photography)
I also styled 2 shoots in September! Bekah Kay Creative and I teamed up on this glamorous, gold inspired shoot; and Annmarie Swift and I styled a shoot filled with plaid, fall-like details! (Pictures of both are coming soon!!)
OCTOBER … October kicked off with 3 more weddings, 2 amazing retreats & a plethora of fun!!
Karoline & Bjorn: From the classic ballroom to the incredible special dances, this was a favorite of the year! (Brett Denfeld Photography)
Katie & Matt: Pictures coming soon! Think: a classic DC ballroom affair in shades of white!
Arienne & Kevin: Oh these two!! They bring the biggest smiles to my face & their gallery will be an all-time favorite of my career! (Abby Grace Photography)
I attended Pursuit Community for the first time and was blown away by the community I found. I loved getting to spend a week with Christian business-women & knew I needed to make this a staple in my life every year.
At the end of the month, I had the privilege of attending Illume Retreat as Bonnie’s right hand gal. I worked with her behind the scenes so that the experience could run smoothly & efficiently. I was honored to take part & can’t wait for the next one in April!!
NOVEMBER … My last wedding of the year!!! Stephanie & Thad ended my year with a bang & I can’t wait so share images with you soon. I loved being on the Eastern Shore with them, oysters & all! (Pictures coming soon!)
Creative at Heart Conference hosted our third sold-out experience in the beautiful city of Charleston, SC! I loved begin down their with close friends and eating all the shrimp & grits I could get my hands on!:) I also realized how long that 8 hour drive is when you do it solo – ew!!
I came home from C@H just in time for my Annual Christmas Mini Session with VA Photography!! I loved seeing a few incredible couples & helping them celebrated their first married Christmas!
DECEMBER … The last month of the year ended up being so much crazier than I expected or planned!! My calendar was FULL and my month of rest because a month of “keeping-my-head-afloat”. Don’t get me wrong, it was an AMAZING month, but far busier than I ever imaged!
I started the month driving up to New Haven with Ally. We spent a few days in an AirBNB with Annmarie, and I guest spoke at Justin & Mary’s What’s Next Getaway. It was incredible. Spending more time with these two, and getting to know Justin & Mary, was the perfect way to start the month!
I came home in time to style & design Hope’s HTP Workshop. This was my third workshop with her, and I always LOVE working with her!! My sweet mama came to this workshop, too!!
Later that week, the Rising Tide Society hosted their first Summit. I had the privilege of speaking and was beyond honored to not only be among the lineup of amazing speakers, but to close out the 3 night virtual event. Speaking is something I’ve realized I love doing, and I’m excited to see what 2016 holds for that aspect of my business!
To top it off this AMAZING year – My Brand Refresh launched!!! Hooray!!! Bonnie & I literally skyped about this in January 2015, so to see it come to life in December was incredible!! I worked with Bonnie every single step of the way, and then Krista brought the dreams to life behind the scenes! And, as if the new site wasn’t enough. The DSE Shop made it’s debut!!! I can’t wait for all that’s in store for this project in 2016!!!:) (Image by SC Stockshop)
We headed home for the holidays on December 23 & spent the next 2 weeks in our hometown with friends & family! 2016 started with as much of a force as 2015 ended, and I think that’s why I’m still feeling like some down time needs to be added to my schedule!! I’m learning more & more than even if your schedule is filled with GOOD, it can still just be too FULL!!! I’m still debating on my Word of the Year, but I know the mindset of rest & margin play a huge role in what I want 2016 to hold.
A few other AWESOME things – Besides buying a house, we also renovated!! We added a master suite & painted almost every room. I promise to reveal pictures soon!! We also added a new member to the family: Pearl! My new Ford Edge was an unplanned expense, but we love her! My dad beat his own State Record for VA’s Largest Giant Pumpkin (yay!) and we survived another year with our crazy pup! He ate too many tissues & dryer sheets, and also gave us a huge scare when we consumed half a bottle of ibuprofen. Thankfully, he’s still as hyper as ever & we can’t image our new home (and big backyard!) without him. We celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary by sleeping on the living room floor with chinese takeout. We spent a long weekend in Savannah, GA at the end of May & it’s now one of my favorite cities. Our year was filled with so much, both personally & professionally… who knows what 2016 has in store!!:)
2015, thank you for all of this. Thank you for filling my business with beautiful moments & allowing me to stretch my wings.
2016, I’m welcoming you with open arms!! I already know January is going to be one for the books!:)
xo!! kat
