Monday, September 23, 2013

SPV | Inspiration

We have some seriously exciting things on the horizon at Simply Put. A pretty new brand, a website, and a photo shoot to top it all off! As we enter wedding season number two of the year I am so overwhelmed with thankfulness. This year has yielded more than I could have even dreamed and I would have never thought SPV would be where it is today. I can't wait to show you all the amazing things we have in store this fall! Enjoy the little teaser below :)

Friday, September 20, 2013

SPV | Roya + Isaiah's Wedding

Today I get to share photos from a wedding I styled and furnished this past June. Roya contacted me last December, shortly after I started this sweet little business of mine. Let me tell you - I am honored every time a bride contacts me to have Simply Put as a part of their wedding, no matter how big or small. But when Roya contacted me she didn't just want a few cheese crates and apothecary bottles, she wanted the whole shebang. And that's what we gave her. Grab a cup of coffee and take a mini vaca while you peruse through these over-the-top gorgeous photos by Chelsea Morgan Photography.

































Thursday, August 29, 2013

03.29.14 | Our Mood Board

Wedding planning can be overwhelming, y'all. I mean, I'm in the wedding industry but being a bride is a totally new experience. And I actually LOVE it. While there have been some stressful moments when deciding our big vendors (7 months is considered a shorter engagement), it has been so much fun. Whether you are recently engaged or you foresee it in your near (or not so near) future, there are some fun elements of your future day you can play with now. Before you purchase one bridesmaid dress, sign one contract, or purchase materials for one DIY project choose your color palette and create a mood board. You don't have to have any secret amazing photoshop talents to be able to do this! You can do this on the computer or with magazines and paint swatches.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when creating your mood board:

01 |  Pin, cut out, print out every single photo that inspires you. It could be the color scheme, the font, the clothing...anything!

02 |  If you printed/cut out inspiration photos lay them all out in front of you. Start to write a list of common themes you see. For example, "simple," texture," "mint," "over the top glamorous." If you are doing this over your computer, begin dragging various photos into photoshop until your canvas incorporates all elements you want in your wedding. Type out a list of words that you feel best describe your board.

03 |  Narrow it down! If you have 15 words start to group certain words together and eliminate until you get to a list of 3-6.

04 |  Determine your color palette based on your mood board. If you are using photoshop or illustrator use your eye dropper tool to get the exact color found in images you love. If you are working with tangible prints, head over to your local store and match paint swatches with your images. You can have as few or as many colors as you want, but I would suggest between 4-6 to ensure depth of color yet direction.

05 |  Refer to this mood board as you begin to make all your aesthetic decisions - and stick to it! It's okay if it molds and changes as you go, but make sure it's intentional or your wedding might begin to look like a hodgepodge of various styles!

And that's it! Take a look at our mood board below:


Sources: 1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7

Monday, August 26, 2013

The Proposal



The past two weeks have been such an adventure to say the least! On August 13, 2013 my best friend and now fiancé (!!!), Clay, got down on one knee and proposed. After only a few short days of planning we quickly realized this was going to be unlike any other wedding we've ever worked on. Through the next 7 months I'm going to share with y'all our process but today I'm going to share my favorite story to tell: the proposal.

To really understand what happened on the Tuesday of the proposal we have to back up a couple of weeks. Here's a quick recap to get you caught up: About two weeks before the proposal I got an email from my friend Callie to see if she could stop by the warehouse to pick up a few things for a photo shoot and then we would go downtown for dinner and drinks on August 13th. Fast forward to Friday, August 9th.  On Friday Sydney came home from Pigeon Forge, TN. That was a celebration! The next day Clay and I were working a wedding in Durham. For some reason, the whole household was in a mood that day - it was one of those days. We escaped the craziness of the house to go on a date to a local tapas restaurant before we made our pick up that night. On Sunday Clay left to go to work/church in Greensboro and he had insisted on driving back to Raleigh that same night to be here for Sydney's birthday. On Monday Sydney turned 21 (woohoo!) and we had a day full of manicures, pedicures, shopping, and sipping wine. It was a really good day. At some point on Monday I made a comment about being so excited to get into the warehouse and reorganize after the two events we had that past weekend. Later that day, Clay asked me if I could take the day off work if he stayed an extra day. He had this brilliant plan that we do an Olympics day on Tuesday before he had to head back to a dinner with some of the guys at church that night. Of course I was so on board with this, especially because our weekend had been so hectic and I wanted to spend more time with Clay, Hamp, and Syd. On Tuesday morning we woke up and the Olympics commenced. We played ting tong (our tiny dining room table version of ping pong), we had the Sophie Wrangle, we played putt putt, the boys play COD and Syd and I napped, and we finished off the day bowling. It was a really, really great day. Being with the three of them makes my heart so happy and full! From the bowling alley Clay left to go to Greensboro and I went back home to shower and get ready to meet Callie for dinner. 

On my way to dinner I called Clay who explained how he had missed the Elon exit to pick up his hiking boots, was running late for dinner - all convincing and legitimate things. I told him I was running about 10 minutes late to meet Callie because of traffic and he suggested I call her to let her know. I gave Callie a call and she told me that was totally fine because she was running late too. I pulled up to the warehouse and I could see through the front lobby window that it was spotless. Where there had been stacks of chairs and tables there were flowers and candles. I walked in the front door and saw this:



Clay was standing there holding a bouquet of fresh roses, "Dance With Me Baby" was softly playing in the background, candles were lit, bistro lights were hung....and I started sobbing. Naturally. Clay gave me the roses, and kissed me on the forehead, and poured us each a glass of wine (I think this was his attempt to calm me down, sweet thing.) He took me by the hand, sat me down on our favorite sofa, and pulled out his Bible and began to read.


"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Ephesians 5: 22-23) 

After he finished reading he said some really sweet things that I really wish I could remember but by this point I was crying again. He reached behind him and pulled out a small green box, got down on one knee, and asked me to be his wife.


I said "YESSS!!!!!" And it turns out Callie was there after all, which is why we have these amazing photographs from the proposal! Callie, I could never thank you enough for capturing this sweet night!


And just when I thought I could not take anymore excitement, this happened:


The whole family was there!! And of course, more tears.


It was absolutely perfect. When the craziness of wedding planning becomes overwhelming I think back to this night when I said "yes," not to a wedding, but to a marriage. March 29th can't come soon enough.







Friday, August 2, 2013

2 Corinthians 4:16-18


So many of my goals over the next 12 weeks are things that are seen - organizing my office and room, redecorating, eating healthy, working out - but my most important goal, to spend time with Jesus everyday and know His word, is unseen.  How easily distracted I am by the things of this world! Praying 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 today for myself and for you - that we would not lose heart, but be renewed, day by day, knowing that we are being prepared for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look to the things that are unseen, the things that are eternal.

xo Kaitlin

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Home // My Inspiration

After I graduated I moved back in with my mom to save money, be with my family...ya know, typical college graduate stuff. However, I did not move back into the same house I grew up in so my bedroom was a blank canvas. And let me tell you, I love a blank canvas. I started off the summer strong with redecorating my space, but after getting a puppy, working, and going on some trips, the decorating came to a halt. One of the goals for my "Invest 12" challenge I have set for myself is to complete the redecorating of my room. Today I'm going to share an inspiration board I have put together - it's full of pink, gold, chartreuse, grey, black and white. Clean, colorful, comfy. Perfect for my bedroom!


Although I love my new room, it is not without it's challenges:

Challenge #1 // No closet
Okay, okay I guess it's not technically a bedroom then. But once you see the room you'll understand why I chose to move into it as opposed to another bedroom with a traditional closet. However, this does not solve the problem of where to put all my clothes and shoes...

Challenge #2 // Laminate wood floors
I love hardwood floors as much as the next person, fake hardwood floors? No thank you. I guess these aren't that bad, just bad enough. 

Challenge #3 // Lots of light
One of the reasons why I chose this room was because of the large, beautiful window. There's always lots of light, which I love post 7 am. Not before. And the heat is also an issue this time of year.

Challenge #4 // Storage
I do a lot of work from home and although I have my desk in my room I also need some more storage! Organization is a must for my life (and one of my Invest 12 goals!).

I've come up with a few ideas on how to conquer these problems, which I'll share with you as well as my progress over the next couple of weeks! 

xo Kaitlin

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Invest 12




I'm not a patient person. I don't like to wait for things, which is probably why I love painting furniture/rooms, eating chocolate, and shopping - immediate gratification. Call it a lack of willpower, impatience, whatever you'd like, but it is one of my struggles. Now, let me tell you a little bit about Clay. He's a thinker. He has this amazing ability to take emotions out of decisions (how many times have you gotten legitimately mad because you can't eat the ice cream?). He makes decisions for his future, not for the here and now. He is as patient person.

Since I began my company the word "invest" has been flying around. We are investing in this piece of furniture, this marketing, this training, and so on. But the point of all the investments we make is not to lose anything, it's to gain something. If we make the right investments we will one day reap the benefits of that. One day. Not necessarily today.

(Let's have a heart check for a minute. The reason why I have difficulty waiting is not just a part of who I am. It's not just a personality thing that should be glossed over. It's a trust issue. When I am impatient and seeking immediate gratification I am not trusting God. I'm not trusting that He is working for my good. I'm trusting in myself rather than in Him.)

Another way to think of investments is through the Biblical terminology "reaping what you sow." Here is a great sermon on that, which I highly recommend listening to before you continue reading.

One day last week Clay came up with the idea that for the next 12 weeks we get serious about our health. We are both healthy people but this summer there has not been a lot of consistency for either one of us. Instead of looking at my choices in eating and exercise as a how-am-I feeling-right-now thing, I have begun to look at them as investment thing. I am taking care of my present self and my future self by sowing things I will reap in the future.

So, what will the next 12 weeks look like for me? How am I investing in my health?

1. I will spend time with Jesus everyday.
2. I will complete this work out plan.
3. I will limit my desserts to once a week.
4. I will finish my room makeover.
5. I will get my office organized.
6. I will memorize one passage of scripture a week.

And that's it. Six ways I plan to invest in my overall wellbeing and health over the next 12 weeks. I'd love for you to join me! What is your plan of investment over the next 12 weeks? We start now. Not next Monday...now!

xo Kaitlin



Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Focus On What Matters


As John Piper wrote, "When humans forsake their Maker and love other things more, they become like the things they love - small, insignificant, weightless, inconsequential, and God-diminishing...You see, it isn't just what ___ does to us with its rivers of emptiness; it is also what ___ keeps us from doing." How easily do I look to the things of this world for comfort and satisfaction? How often do I fail to look to God as the Protector, Provider, and Lover of my soul? That blank could be filled in by a million and one different things; things that may have been intended for good, but have become idols in our lives. The danger isn't just what these idols do to us, it's what they keep us from doing. You were created to live a life bigger, fuller, and bolder than you can ever imagine. You were created to display God's glory to this broken world. What are you investing your time, energy, and resources in? Does it promise life but deliver anxiety, fear, and even death? Today, focus your eyes, heart, and mind on what matters.

xo, Kaitlin 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Getting Started // Part 2



"It is not good that man should be alone."
Genesis 2:18

I feel like I could write a book about community. I'm not saying it would be a very good book, or one that anyone would buy, but I literally have so much to say about community. Church, friends, business...community is key to all elements of life. The only thing God said wasn't good when He created the universe was that man was alone. Think about it - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit aren't alone. They are in perfect community with one another, the type of community that makes the heart overflow with joy and love and laughter. So it's a no brainer God doesn't want his children to be alone. 

Like I said, I could write a book. I'm going to reserve this post specifically to community within the realm of business and there are a few key elements I'm going to touch on: support, networking, and day-to-day life.

1 // Support

Let's face it. Some of us have ideas that cost money to start. When we are dreaming up what our business will look like a lot of times we jump to about 3-5 years down the road. We envision the warehouse space of our dreams, the beautifully upholstered inventory, and the brand that kicks butt and takes names. But quickly you realize that your inventory is in 3 different storage units, it is mainly compiled of pieces you bought as projects, and your brand is in the baby stages. That is where Simply Put started. But even to get there I needed support. I needed someone to invest in Simply Put, support it, back it, believe in it. I have little to no advice on how to get an investor if that's the stage you're in, except to say that you have to believe in what you're doing. If you're not fired up about it and confident in it why would anyone want to invest in it? I'm blessed enough to have a dad who has a passion for helping small businesses get off the ground. Yes, he has invested in me financially, but it goes beyond the money. When someone else invests in you in anyway (time, money, talents) it means they believe not just in what you're doing, but in you. Whether or not you will need financial support to get started, you need support. You need a few people around you who will cheer you on, won't let you quit, and give you the encouragement to keep going. Why? Because it is not good that man should be alone.

2 // Networking

In school I actually hated the word "networking." I associated it with climbing the ladder, stepping on people to get there, and forced conversations. How wrong I was. Networking has become one of my favorite parts of my job! The chance to meet and talk to other professionals in the industry fills my heart up to the brim with happiness. What's better than talking to people who get it? I take every chance I can get to meet new professionals in the wedding industry because it helps Simply Put grow and I get to meet new friends. Take every opportunity to meet people in your industry because it will not only benefit your business but it will inspire and motivate you.

3 // Day-To-Day Life

Working for yourself can get lonely at times. Maybe you're not at the point in your business where you can hire others. Maybe you have employees scattered across the globe that you communicate with via skype, phone calls, or email. Whatever your situation may be, if you are alone on a day-to-day basis you have to fight to keep yourself engaged in the world around you. I fall in the dead center of the introvert/extrovert scale. It's true, I've taken the test and I'm 50/50. In terms of my business life that means I can be completely content working alone all day long, but after a certain point that is no longer good or healthy for me. We can't just save our friendships and relationships for the weekends, we need to be engaging with people every day of our life. What is your tendency? Are you a strong introvert and making the time for relationships seems exhausting? Are you a strong extrovert and you need lots of time with others to keep you going? That looks different for every person, but be intentional about your friendships and relationships because, again, it is not good that man should be alone.

How do you live a life of intentionality?

xo, Kaitlin

Other posts on getting started:


Coming soon: