little talks | photography inspired by lyrics | modern ink mag

modern ink mag was an online lifestyle publication that placed an emphasis on uncovering, highlighting and exposing the clever, adventurous, artistic and eclectic side of life.

our impression feature was unique to modern ink mag as we highlighted lyrics by artists through our own creative interpretation.  little talks, by of monsters and men, continues to inspire me and will always hold a special place in my heart.

i don’t like walking around this old and empty house so hold my hand, i’ll walk with you my dear. the stairs creak as i sleep it’s keeping me awake, it’s the house telling you to close your eyes.

and some days i can’t even trust myself, it’s killing me to see you this way. ’cause though the truth may vary this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore.

there’s an old voice in my head that’s holding me back, well tell her that i miss our little talks. soon it will be over and buried in our past, we used to play outside when we were young and full of life and full of love.

some days i don’t know if i am wrong or right, your mind is playing tricks on your my dear. ’cause though the truth may vary this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore.

you’re gone, gone, gone away, i watched you disappear all that’s left is the ghost of you. now we’re torn, torn, torn apart, there’s nothing we can do, just let me go, we’ll meet again soon.

now wait, wait, wait for me, please hang around i’ll see you when i fall asleep.

don’t listen to the words i say, the screams all sound the same. though the truth may vary this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore

creative direction: allison sprouse + rachel baila
photography: tara kneiser | dixie pixel
wardrobe styling + model: jessica ray
performed by: of monsters and men
songwriters: nanna bryndis hilmarsdottir + ragnar thorhallsson

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The Office Takeover | 60’s Inspired Fashion Shoot | Modern Ink Mag

how i  L O V E D  the days of modern ink mag! i came across this photoshoot today – one of my favorites – and cannot believe that this was S I X years ago! many days I find myself longing for modern ink mag + our team. today … i will bask in the goodness that was modern ink mag.

modern ink mag was an online lifestyle publication that placed an emphasis on uncovering, highlighting and exposing the clever, adventurous, artistic and eclectic side of life.

creative direction: allison sprouse + rachel baila
photography: amelia strauss
wardrobe styling: michelle simpson
make-up artist: claire balest
hair styling: megan church
models: anna parmley + rob echols

Cottage by the Sea: My Sanctuary

Thanksgiving is quickly sneaking up on me which has me compiling lists upon lists of all that I have to be thankful for this year. It sounds cliche I know, but unless I intentionally make space to record these moments, (both good + what seemed bad), my days will pass by without allowing me to grasp on to the reality that I have been given much in this life!

Our cottage by the sea is my sanctuary and I am thankful every day that we are able to enjoy this space and the community it offers. It’s hard to believe that this time last year, we drove my parents and sister to Bellport, NY to see the house of our dreams. Our whirlwind renovation began in mid-March and ended in June and I loved Every Second of it!

We intentionally designed our home with a calming palette in order to offer our family + guests respite from the city. The art displayed throughout our home tells of our journey to Cuba and boasts of my incredibly artistic + talented dad and great-uncle.

In telling our story, we felt that it was important to display Abode prominently over our fireplace. Abode was my life … I mean … home furnishings store located in Market Square in Knoxville, TN many moons ago. Abode offered me a place to grow in my love for home design, meet so many talented local artists, and truly learn the balance of being a working mother as both of my girls were practically born and raised there for the first few years of their lives.

This West Elm rug was the very first purchase I made for our home. I remember feeling on top of the world – literally giddy – after I purchased this rug. The purchase itself was not what was driving my excitement (although I love this rug) rather, it was a pivotal  point where I was able to rediscover and exercise my passion for home design since closing Abode’s doors 7 years prior.

The twin beds are my father-in-law’s childhood beds that have been modernized with a new coat of paint. There is something about passed down furniture that makes my heart sing as it offers a connection to someone else’s life story.

My oldest daughter was dead set on having a “graffiti” room. Although I am a big fan of graffiti, I couldn’t quite wrap my head around how we would incorporate that into a beach cottage. I was thrilled when I found this graffiti painting (in her favorite colors nonetheless) while traveling to Cuba last winter. That was pure luck!

I am thankful for this home and for the journey it has taken me on to appreciate both my past and present. It is truly my sanctuary.

“Bellport is many things, but most of all, it is a sanctuary for those who still treasure community and good old-fashioned relaxation.” – Town & Country Magazine

*Contractor: Barry Goggin with Meadowview Construction

Cottage by the Sea: All Revealing

It’s nearing the end of July and A LOT has happened since that snowy day in March when we became NY homeowners! I had the best intentions of sharing all of the step by steps of our renovation but let’s be honest — most people just like the reveals anyway.

Dining Room:

Kitchen:

Living Room:

Master Bedroom:

Sophie’s Bedroom:

Hazel’s Bedroom:
This room was padlocked when we 1st viewed the house! It is the mirror image of Sophie’s room

It takes time to make a house your home and there is certainly much more work to be done but we are thrilled to be IN and enjoying a laid back summer outside of the city.

Growing Up Brooklyn: Graffiti Party

Hazel celebrated her 8th birthday in true Brooklyn form with a Graffiti party – – cue the Beastie Boys. We met up with Leaf from Graff Tours in the heart of Bushwick to learn all things graffiti.

Leaf demonstrated different fonts and spray techniques while encouraging the girls to create their own designs.

Several layers were placed on the canvas to create …

Leaf taught the girls how to pose without showing their faces – in true graffiti artist form.

Leaf also taught the girls the importance of having a tag name. They stood wide-eyed and accepted the challenge to create their own.

Smile: Aviva

Shine: Zuri

Angel: Sophie

Sun: Vivian

Split: Hannah

Happy: Noa

Star: Hazel

Brooklyn Tag Team.

Cottage By the Sea: Demo Day

And the walls came tumbling down! The demo is not done … but is certainly on its way. We have taken the entire house down to the studs in order to:

• insulate the house – this house currently has ZERO insulation!
• create an open concept on the main floor
• install central heat and air – good-bye radiators!
• install new sheetrock throughout

Kitchen / Dining

Living Room

Sophie’s Room

Hazel’s Room

Stairway

Cottage By the Sea: Before Home Tour

We are ready to begin demo to this sweet little home! Introducing the old before we welcome the new!

Entryway / Dining Room

Kitchen

Living Room

Laundry Room / Downstairs Bathroom

Master Bedroom / Bathroom

Sophie’s Bedroom

Hazel’s Bedroom

Upstairs Bathroom

Our Cottage By The Sea

It has been a long time coming … we finally have our little cottage by the sea!

We were introduced to Bellport Village in September and immediately fell in love with this house. Built and owned by the same family since 1950, there are a lot of memories already wrapped up in these four walls.

We can’t wait to build memories of our own in this humble abode. We are embarking on a full renovation with about 3 months until summer – what could go wrong?!

an approach to prayer

i was introduced to the five-finger prayer during the christmas eve service held at trinity wall street. this approach offers a simple visual and reminder of how many people need to be remembered in our prayers.

thumb: the thumb is the finger closest to you, so pray for those who are closest to you, such as mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, stepparents, stepsisters, stepbrothers, grandparents, godparents.

index finger: the index finger is the pointing finger, so pray for those who point the way for you, such as parents, teachers, clergy, policemen and women, firemen and women, security guards, bus drivers, crossing guards and elders.

middle finger: the middle finger is the biggest finger of all, so pray for those with big responsibilities like our president, government leaders, state and city leaders,  and others who lead and guide you.

fourth finger: the fourth finger is the weakest of all the fingers, so pray for those who are weak. pray for those who are sick or sad or alone; for those who are in hospitals and rest homes, as well as those who are poor, hungry and forgotten. pray for people who are disabled, physically and mentally. pray also for those who have died and for those who mourn them.

little finger: the little finger comes last. pray now for yourself and as your hands are now fully open thank god for your many generous blessings.

edgar – our elf on the shelf

edgar kicked off our holiday season a bit early this year. {we are still scratching our heads in amazement that this little guy “magically” arrived in a bag brought by my mother from knoxville weeks before thanksgiving!}

thankfully my little gals eagerly embrace the magic of christmas and chalked up his early arrival as a prelude of mischevious behavior to be exhibited during the days leading up to christmas. edgar has  lived up to their predictions – leaving the girls, at times, to become a bit upset with him for not picking up after himself and playing with their things while they sleep.

below is a documentation of our time with edgar this holiday season and his silly antics. we will miss this funny little guy … until next year!

day 1: sugary snow angels
day 2: feeling close to santa by coloring a picture of him
day 3: chillin’ in the fridge with a santa towel to keep him warm
day 4: soaking in a marshmallow bath
day 5: dreaming of a white christmas with a q-tip snowflake
day 6: declaring his love for barbie
day 7: missing the girls when they spent the night out
day 8: sippin’ on maple syrup
day 9: rainbow looming for his elf friends
day 10: giving in to his sweet tooth
day 11: fooled by homemade baking soda ornaments {thought they were sugar cookies}
day 12: a quick shave – wishful thinking
day 13: peek-a-boo game {of course with sprinkles involved}
day 14: showing school spirit
day 15: love and candy canes
day 16: coming in like a wrecking ball
day 17: stripes on stripes
day 18: finding his twin in a snowy day
day 19: introducing his girlfriend in hopes to be adopted by the girls’ friends. {she was adopted and named rosie g!}
day 20: fishin’ for goldfish
day 21: late night tic-tac-toe games with pete the cat
day 22: his presence is present enough {he stole the girls’ sugar cookie for this … they were not thrilled with him!}
day 23: last late night rendevous with his buddy barbie