wedding wednesday: my bridal bouquet

bridal bouquets are not merely what they used to be.  today, instead of just the typical floral arrangements, bride's are creating their bouquets out of just about anything.  the question is no longer simply 'roses or lilies?'  now, it's more like 'flowers or inanimate objects?'

   photo credits: croska on etsy // andrea jae photography // david rohr floral studio via style me pretty // noaki on etsy

i find these unique approaches completely interesting, but as in most elements of my wedding, i have chosen to stay with the more traditional route and have a floral bouquet.  i'll be the first to admit that i know next to nothing about flowers.  the only concrete fact i can give you about them is that they are really, really, really pretty and smell good in most cases.  when my wedding florist asked me what my floral vision was, i was a bit stumped.  thank goodness for pinterest and the world wide web.  i may not be able to tell you what i like, but i can easily show you.

photo credits: via brides.com // fiona floral via style me pretty // 

garden on the square via bridal musings // ivy weddings via style me pretty

i am hoping that my bridal bouquet ends up a lovely combination of the above.  english roses, a few peonies, more roses, just a slight touch of greenery, and all tied up in a satin ribbon.  ahh, sounds just lovely to moi.


now it's your turn to play the bride...

what's your wedding floral vision?  if you've already played the part of bride, what did your bouquet look like?  would you choose something different today?

be sure to check out my mrs. mickelsen pinterest board for more of my initial wedding inspirations.  we're almost down to the two month mark.  eek!

guest post: funfetti cupcakes!

hello, hello!  on this tuesday morning, i would like to welcome a good friend of mine to the kb files, miss emma from the wonderfully charming blog emma the joy.  today she will be sharing one of her many talents... the ability to create magic in the form of baked goods.  take it away, my dear!

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hi everyone!  emma here from emma the joy.  i am excited to be here on katie beth's gorgeous new blog to share with you a recipe for one of my favorite treats - homemade funfetti cupcakes.  they are colorful, bright, and perfect for any celebration.  i especially love these because they are easy to whip up and don't require any special ingredients. 

homemade funfetti cupcakes
makes 12 cupcakes

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 whole eggs {room temperature}
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk {room temperature}
1/3 cup assorted brightly color sprinkles + more for decoration

preheat oven to 350 degrees.  cream butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy and pale for about 3 minutes.  scrape down the bowl and add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.  combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk gradually, mixing only until just combined.  fold in the sprinkles until just combined and be careful to not over mix.  over mixing will cause the color to come off the sprinkles and discolor the cupcakes.  fill cupcake tins 2/3 full and bake for 18-20 minutes.  let cool, then frost.

buttercream frosting

1/2 cup butter, softened
2-3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-4 teaspoons milk or heavy cream

in a large bowl, cream butter until fluffy.  gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until it is well combined.  add vanilla and 1 teaspoon of milk or cream at a time until the frosting is creamy and a good spreading consistency.  pipe or spread on cupcakes and top with sprinkles.

enjoy!  thank you for having me katie beth!  recipe adapted from how sweet it is.


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a special thank you to emma for sharing her culinary talents with us here at the kb files.  please do visit her blog for even more fabulous recipes & deliciousness!

for those emma the joy readers that are visiting here today, thank you, thank you for stopping by!  this is my first month of posting on the lovely world wide web & i hope you like what you see here at the kb files.  i'd be grateful for your help in attaining my goal of reaching 100 followers by simply clicking here.  (we're getting closer!  woot. woot.)  and perhaps we'll see you back here again soon?

and before you go, what is your favorite cupcake/treat recipe?  wedding diet or not, i'd love to try it out!



  

monotone monday

hello, my dears.  the weekend flew by in a flash and tada!  it's monday again.


today i present you with one of my favorite color schemes... the neutral monotone.

photo credits:  mario testino, vogue february 2011 // here // mcgill design via luxe and lillies // 

trad home 2011 // here // rus anson via here // finnish home via desire to inpsire // the sartorialist

and contrary to what the name suggests... these warm and luxurious ensembles end up being anything but boring.  by sticking to one color family - especially when it's neutral - it allows the textures to really pop & become the main interest.  little details such as nailhead trim or carved moldings that can easily become lost amidst busier & more complicated color schemes are able to truly stand on their own.

what do you think?  would you ever choose to use a neutral monotone color scheme in your home or wardrobe?  i'd love to hear how you would rock your monotone...

and just a few more days to help me reach my followers goal... click here to become a follower of the kb files.  i just may love you forever.

p.s.  i am very disappointed to announce that my upcoming humanitarian trip to south america has been postponed as of saturday evening until june 2012 :(

humanitarian in the making

this friday, i'd like to take a break from the usual design chatter & pretty pictures and speak on something of a bit more importance.

my father has taught me many valuable things, but none other than the immense significance of serving others.

through all my years, i have watched my dad dedicate himself to several different humanitarian projects both close to home and across the world.  he has a true passion for serving others & has tried to instill the same enthusiasm in me both through his example & by including me in projects when he can.  next thursday, my father and i will be traveling to colombia & ecuador to check in on some of the projects he has been working on there in education & health care.

 photo credits: here // here // here // here

although there will be a language barrier for me (luckily my father's spanish is beyond fluent), i am anxious to serve in anyway that i can.  and hey, if i can't figure out how to communicate to the kids how to properly brush their teeth, i'm sure i can manage to teach them a few awesome dance moves.  that's one of my favorite facets of dance... it's a universal language.  either way, i am thankful & eager for this opportunity to serve.

 

and a quick thank you to all those that have become new followers recently.  i really appreciate your help in achieving my goal of 100 followers in my first month.  and look, we're getting closer!  thank you, again!

 

wishing you the best of weekends. 

& hoping you all have the opportunity to serve in even a small & simple way.

keen for spring

i'm not sure whether it's been my gloomy health this week, the drizzling february rain, or my simple distaste for the sky when it is any color of gray... but i have become super anxious for spring to arrive and am finding joy & inspiration in anything bright & cheery!  i am especially loving the pink & orange combo seen round and about lately.  be it flowers, fashion, or fine art...

// honey of a thousand flowers // nastygal // as seen on wit & delight, sunday in bed, & look-o //

are you a fan of pink & orange together?

or just as anxious for spring as i?

 

*a quick word about sponsors:  

many of you have likely noticed my request for followers placed at the end of each of my posts lately.  this request is referencing my monthly goal of reaching 100 followers.  i would like my readers to understand why this is a goal of mine.  as great as it makes my heart feel to have new followers, it is more than that!  in starting & attempting to grow this little blog & business of mine, exposure is key and can benefit us both.  i would love to start taking on sponsors that will both fit my developing brand & offer great products to my readers.  in order to attract quality sponsors, a lot of work must be done on my end to deliver original & excellent content, and one must have a strong readership... meaning followers & blog views.  in order to provide you all with great product reviews & giveaways in the someday future, i would love your support in this little goal of mine.  

please, if you have a few seconds to spare, i invite you to become an official follower of the kb files and help me reach my goal of 100 followers in its first month.  (that means the deadline is next thursday!) 

 just click ' join this site' on the right-hand side bar, or simply click here.

to add the kb files to your rss feed click here.
 

i really, sincerely appreciate your support thus far! 

and if there are any interested sponsors, please email me at
thekbfiles@gmail.com

 

hoping this little post can help brighten your day!

wedding wednesday: kb wedding exit ideas

alright, my dears.  thank you so much for your sweet words & concern yesterday.  after 2.5 miserable days, my fever has finally decided to leave me in peace & i am feeling much better.

but today i need your help!

what is your favorite wedding exit idea?

now before you all scream 'SPARKLERS!'... you should know that the fire marshall has sadly outlawed them at my venue.  when i was first told this, i was slightly broken hearted.  in the previous days, weeks & months, i had been staring at photos of sparkler wedding exits and dreaming of the day it would be mine!  just look how pretty...

photo credits: brooke photography // sparkler collage via ruche //

 dove wedding photography via simply stunning nashville // love the schultzes 

but instead of a remaining sad & broken hearted... i am hoping that you will all help me decide on a fabulous alternative.

here are some ideas i've stumbled upon around the wedding circuit:

1.  STREAMERS: not as pretty as sparklers, but still could create some lovely photography.  yes?  no?  maybe so?

// love the schultzes // 

2.  lots and lots and lots of BALLOONS:  i'll be honest, i kind of love this idea.  although it might give me a serious case of claustrophobia and hair static.  but still, i think this photo is great. 

// clayton austin photography via love and lavender //

3.  the ever traditional RICE: {disclaimer}: i have heard that this may or may not lead to the explosion of any little birdie that naively snacks upon it.  so as wedding traditional as i like to be, maybe i should say no to the rice?

 
// parris whittingham photography //

4.  and then there is the new trend of BUBBLES: oh so pretty, but i do hate to get soap in my eye.

  // camilla photography //

okay, my readers.  it is time to help me out.  

what wedding exit idea gets your vote?  1. streamers, 2. balloons, 3. rice, or 4. bubbles?

or do you have a fabulous idea i haven't thought of?  

what kind of wedding exit did you have/or hope to have at your wedding?

help me, help me, please!

***p.s. remember, if you have a few seconds to spare, become an official follower of the kb files!  my goal is to reach 100 followers by the end of this month.  

can you help me get there? 

 just click ' join this site' on the right-hand side bar, or simply click here.
also, i had a reader inform me that my rss feed button hadn't been working.  

it is fixed & working now! 

to add the kb files to your rss feed click here.

new life/design motto

my new life/design motto.  simple & concise & just the way i like it.

please excuse the short post today.  i have been battling with the flu for the past couple of days & am feeling less than peachy at the moment.  we were scheduled to take our engagement photos this afternoon and i sadly had to reschedule.  boo!  my tweet from last night sums it up pretty well...

that flu shot i never got is sounding pretty great about now #feverblues

(follow me on twitter @kbsummerhays)

hope your tuesdays are all feeling better than mine!

 

 ***p.s. remember, if you have a few seconds to spare, become an official follower of the kb files!  my goal is to reach 100 followers by the end of this month.  

can you help me get there? 

 just click ' join this site' on the right-hand side bar, or simply click here.
also, i had a reader inform me that my rss feed button hadn't been working.  

it is fixed & working now! 

to add the kb files to your rss feed click here.

kb design files: kitchen

happy president's day monday!


today i give you a glimpse into my future home design files...
 
the first room that comes to mind when i start thinking about my someday home... is the kitchen.

i have pretty strong feelings about the kitchen.  i find the kitchen to be the most important room of the home.  the kitchen is where i want to raise my family.  i picture my kids coming home from school, sitting at the counter, eating snacks & doing their homework while i prepare dinner.  i see saturday mornings always including eggs, pancakes & homemade buttermilk syrup.  and sunday evenings should always involve the eating of some sort of baked good.

truth be told... i love kitchens!  and when i think about my future kitchen, a few commonalities always come to mind.  the most consistent one... beautiful, white, open shelving.  just take a look!

photo credits: young house love // via southern living photographed by alexandra rowley //

 house beautiful via chris barrett design // kitchens via lonny // martha stewart via apartment therapy 

now tell me... what do your kitchen dreams consist of?

and thank you for all your sweet comments about my jylare photoshoot.  all the credit should go to her!

 ***p.s. remember, if you have a few seconds to spare, become an official follower of the kb files!  my goal is to reach 100 followers by the end of this month.  

can you help me get there? 

 just click ' join this site' on the right-hand side bar, or simply click here.
also, i had a reader inform me that my rss feed button hadn't been working.  

it is fixed & working now! 

to add the kb files to your rss feed click here.

thank you, thank you!  i really appreciate your support.

jylare photoshoot: photo results!

this afternoon i am happy to share the results from my alice lane photoshoot.  this shoot was done earlier this month and was shot by the amazingly talented jylare smith.

i've said this before, and i'll say it again.  i am nooooo model.  in order to do this photoshoot, i had to become completely comfortable with laughing at myself.  a lot.  the simple commands to professional models of 'soft smile, talk naturally to the window, tuck your hair gently behind your ear while slowly moving your eyes towards the camera and slowly going from serious to smile...' do not come at all naturally to me.  i am so grateful for the patient coaching & talent of jylare.  i don't think i'll be recruited for america's next top model any time soon, but i love the finished photos & think they are perfect for what i need.  thank you so much, jylare!

so... what do you think?

and with that, i'm wishing you all a happy friday & weekend!    i have some very much needed time off this weekend.  i am excited to play catch up on a few things & just relax.   i may or may not also be going to hear mitt speak tomorrow night in slc.  fitting?  maybe?  who knows what next november will bring!

 what are YOU up to this president's day weekend?  whatever it is, enjoy!

***remember, if you have a few seconds to spare, become an official follower of the kb files!  my goal is to reach 100 followers by the end of this month.  can you help me get there?  just click ' join this site' on the right-hand side bar, or simply click here. 
also, i had a reader inform me that my rss feed button hadn't been working.  it is fixed & working now! 

have a great weekend, my friends.  thanks for reading!

weekly wishlist: wall art edition

my three main areas of pursuit...

1. dance
2. art
3. design

i was given my first leotard and pair of dance shoes at age three... and until about my junior year of college, dance was my number one focus in life.

then, at age 21, i traveled to london on a study abroad program and fell in love with the paintings at the national gallery, courtauld, wallace collection, tate, etc.  i came home and immediately switched my major from dance to art history.  i kept dancing & teaching, but for the first time ever, i had a new passion.

after graduation, i started my masters degree in fine & decorative arts at the sotheby's institute of art in london.  for the large part of my course, i was focusing 50 percent on fine art (painting, sculpture, etc) and 50 percent on decorative art (furniture, ceramics, interiors, etc).  it wasn't until i began writing my dissertation that i was 100 percent focusing on design and interiors.

today, interior design is definitely what i concentrate and work on first.  second, i am still an almost full-time dance teacher.  and third, if i ever have a free second, it is usually spent perusing my old art history texts, searching for new and interesting artists online, and of course, fitting museum visits in to any vacations.

the point of this little personal history lesson... art is still is a huge part of my life.  there are few things as mesmerizing to me as seeing the intricate texture of paint on a canvas whilst sticking my face only a few inches in front of the painting.  (ever been that close to a van gogh or even a rothko?  it's AAA-mazing.)  and yes, i have been scolded from time to time by a few museum security guards.  oops.

my taste in art has definitely shifted a bit over time.  in the height of my dancer days, i thought edgar degas' ballerinas were the most spectacular things on earth.  when i was first studying art history i was passionate about everything from medieval to dutch to italian art.  i truly thought that the renaissance was beautiful!  and then one day, while in amsterdam on an art history tour, i ran into the giant-size matisse... the red room (harmony in red)... and my perception and taste in art was dramatically altered.  the colors, the shapes, the irregularities, the unexpected strokes, and did i mention the colors?  i was in love.

from that day, my taste in art has pulled more and more modern, and more and more abstract.

more than anything, i love the unexpected.

thanks to the online world today, it is possible for so many talented artists to be discovered, both in traditional mediums (i.e. paint) and the new mediums (i.e. graphic print).  here is a collection of some of the art that has caught my attention & made its way onto my wishlist this week...

1. glowing flowers, by the lovely leanne shapton 

2. neon ampersand screen print, from shopampersand 
3. colorblind giclee print illustration, matheus lopes

3. twiggy and peonies, from eye of the beholder

4. august's humid decline, by the amazing caroline wright

5. london transportation map line poster, by lineposters

what artists have caught your attention lately?  or simply, what is your favorite genre of art?  i'd love to talk art anytime, so please do share!

and i'll be back later today with the photos from my photoshoot with the amazing jylare!

valentine's wishes

last friday i was able to spend the day with two of my very favorite ladies and bake a few of my very favorite things just in time for valentine's day.  there are few people in this world that i love more than my nieces & i feel very blessed to have the relationship with them that i do.  i also feel blessed when i get to eat delicious sugar cookies that we've all made from scratch.  thanks for the help, my little ladies!

what are the special things you like to do with those you love most?

(sadly, most of mine include the baking & eating of baked goods.)

today is brian & my first official valentine's day together.  he asked me on a date for valentine's one year ago today... which i politely declined at the time.  over the past year, however, things have progressed a bit.  today, i asked him to be MY valentine.  and luckily, he said yes.

here's wishing you all the loveliest of valentine's days spent with the ones you love most!

** and i'd love for you to share some love with me & become an official follower.  my goal is to reach 100 followers by the end of month.  can you help me get there?  just click ' join this site' on the right-hand side bar, or simply click here. 
also, i had a reader inform me that my rss feed button hadn't been working.  it is fixed & working now!

all my love & thanks to you!

the entryway: make an impression

to start your valentine's morning, i give you...

the entryway...

one of my honest-to-goodness favorite areas of a home to design.  the entryway gives the first impression of your home and deserves careful consideration.  the entryway is there to ease one's transition from the outside world to the interior home and should be both functional and visually pleasing.  in addition to have interesting details and elements, an entryway should include practical things such as catch-all trays for keys and such, benches or seats to aide in removing shoes, and mirrors for that last-second check before you run out the door.

while recently working on the entryway of a client's home, i have become completely smitten with entryways containing large floor mirrors.  just check out the goodness below...

photo credit: nicole cohen's (of sketch 42) beautiful entryway via rue issue 3

photo credit: west elm copper hammered floor mirror (sadly, no longer available)

photo credit: mcgill design group

the concept of incorporating a large floor mirror works perfectly with my client's entryway and its limited space directly inside the door.  this client is hoping to update and lighten the feel of her home but still not completely lose its rich, old-world european feel.  here is the design board i worked up for the space located immediately inside her front door...

 

this is a minimal design concept for the smaller space of the entryway.  we will also be incorporating a bombe chest and detailed vignette into the nook of the staircase to add some color and interest to her entryway.  i will be working more on this project this week & will update you soon.

what are your thoughts on entryways?  any elements you would love to incorporate into your space?

(and don't fret... i'll be back with a valentine's inspired post later today!)

 

diy copper luminary

happy monday, my friends.  after a crazy weekend of wedding planning and countless hours of rehearsals, i am happy to be right back here with you.  and today i am sharing with you a particularly challenging/enjoyable assignment i had my last semester of my design degree...


design (and build!) your own light fixture.


i think like most people these days, i went straight to pinterest for inspiration.  and sure, i found lots of mason jar votives and paint the paper lantern how-to's, but i decided i wanted to stretch myself a bit more.  i found this image of this gorgeous room from david mallet's chic parisian hair salon and my head to went copper-modern-light-fixture heaven.

 photo credit: here

with my limited handy-man skills, i had to simplify a bit.  i made my way to the local lowe's and simply started browsing the aisles.  i found a light socket, some copper wire, and copper 'craft sheets.'  one thing i didn't know beforehand, however, was that anything with the word 'copper' in it comes at quite the pretty penny.  i made the executive decision to also include brass & tin to make this project slightly more cost effective.

and with those materials, along with a paper lantern, epoxy glue, & random materials from my dad's workroom, i went to work.  

1.  first, i began by drilling a hole in the top-middle of each of the copper/brass/tin sheets.  i then had to form them around a large plastic cup, attempting to make them hold a slight curve.  (it worked better on the sturdy copper, not so great on the flimsy tin.)
2.  secondly, i ran 12 strings of wire from top to bottom of the paper lantern to create some structural support.  once that was done, and starting at the bottom and moving around clockwise, i would adhere each piece of sheeting onto the wire with super-duty thread and a dot of epoxy glue to hold it in place.  i repeated this a gazillion times until the whole lantern was covered in copper, brass, and tin sheeting.
3.  lastly, i had to figure out a way to connect the paper lantern part of the light fixture to the actual light socket and hanging mechanism.  (this is the part that could use some major improvements!)  i pretty much tied the light socket onto the sides of the top of the lantern and then glued that to the hanging mechanism. (aka random pole and such i found at home!)  i am so high tech.

and here's how it turned out...

photo credit: my instagram @kbsummerhays

not quite my copper-modern-light-fixture heaven... but at least i enjoyed the process & received an A for design concept and effort!

(there is one major thing i would change if i were to attempt this again... it needs something sturdier than a paper lantern & some wire for structural support.  i think it would work better if i could adapt tomato-cage wire into a sphere form and build it up from there... just fyi.)

be sure to visit my 'luminaries' pinterest board for more light fixture heaven inspiration!

what projects are you up to this week?

i'm a master!

it's official!  i'm a master.


master of fine & decorative arts, that is.

i just received my official notice on beautiful A4 paper from sotheby's in the mail today.  my masters dissertation has been reviewed & approved, and with that, my masters degree is finished.  wahoo!  feels so great to be done.  thanks to all those who have helped & supported me along the way.  one of the best & hardest years of my life is complete!