Happy New Year, friends! After my requisite slow start to January, I’m working on jumping back into the groove, still trying to sort out where 2018 ran off to so quickly. This year will mark eleven years since I started blogging, founding one of the world’s very first entertaining blogs. Now solidly more than a decade of my life has been spent in front of a computer screen and behind a camera, elbow deep in paint, cheese, booze and flowers crafting content for The Sweetest Occasion. In the last 10+ years I got married, bought a house, got divorced, had a baby, bought a house and got married. Again. Some days those 10 years feel like they’ve passed by in an instant. Other days I struggle to remember who that girl was who started this blog all those years ago.

The Sweetest Occasion is featured in Better Homes and Gardens. Check it out in the June 2013 issue!

Good morning and happy Monday, friends! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. I’m feeling incredibly optimistic and upbeat today and looking forward to an awesome week. To kick things off, a pretty little color palette featuring a washed out vintage-inspired combination of peony pink, faded denim blue and rich mustard yellow. I am totally …

We’ve been having the sunniest, loveliest weather this week in Syracuse and while today is feeling a bit more overcast and gloomy, I’m loving bright and happy colors right now. This palette is all about fun! Funky shades of amethyst, bubble gum pink and lipstick red can easily translate to summer or fall, depending on …

Hey, everyone! Happy happy Friday to you. I’ve had a pretty awesome week, but I’ve got to say, I’m really looking forward to the weekend! I’ve been working on new projects, drumming up inspiration and looking forward to some much-anticipated house guests. What are you up to this weekend? Hopefully the weather is going to …

I was so excited to have the lovely Jenny Haas share her niece Ada’s first birthday party. Jenny’s sister pulled together all of the pretty shabby chic details, from the vintage-inspired fabric hoops along the wall to the beautiful cluster of mini cakes. I love the simple white roses tucked in old milk bottles and …

I’m loving this soft and pretty color palette for the fall harvest season. It’s a touch unexpected, but still definitely says “autumn” to me. Of course, I’m still loving on all shades of peach, apricot and pink these days, but I love the addition here of a bit of fresh green and a darker rust …

Happy Monday, friends! We’re going to rock out a double dose of color love again this week, just for kicks. This time around it’s back to channeling the soft and sweet. As much as I love bold, saturated colors, there’s something about whisper soft pastels that get me every time. Here shades of pink, mint …

A huge congratulations to Jozen for winning the goody bag from Jenny’s awesome blogger meet and greet event! Jozen, Jenny will be in touch with details. Thanks to everyone who chimed in with love for Jenny and Lyndsey’s awesome party!

Happy Friday, everyone! I am really looking forward to the weekend, I’ve got to say. I’ve been fighting the flu this week (which explains why it’s been a little quieter than usual around these parts) and I’m looking forward to some extra sleep and a quiet little birthday celebration with my family. Plus, next week …

Update: Thank you for all of the amazing participation! We’ve reached the maximum number of respondents so the survey is now closed – the gift card winner will still be announced on Friday, April 7. Thank you! It’s that time again – time for the 2011 reader survey! Early 2011 has brought some exciting changes …