I feel like I’m arriving incredibly late to the scene on this, but I’ve rather fallen in love with Artifact Uprising this year. I have had so many photographer (and regular) friends that have been using, and loving, AU for years, and I have even been writing about them for ages, but this fall I finally started delving in a little deeper for my own personal projects. I had been receiving, and squirreling away, their newsletter for over a year at least- they have really helpful photography tips and specials, etc. in their newsletter, by the way. I, like so many people I’m sure, have been guilty of taking photos I really love, but ultimately leaving them on my tech to wither and be forgotten.

When they contacted me and asked if I’d actually like to try some of their products myself, instead of just sharing how much other people love them (the plight of the freelance writer), I was really excited to see if it was worth the hype!

This fall I finally ordered some of their square prints, then I ordered our holiday photo cards (all made from 100 percent recycled paper, which I love!) from them as well (+ more prints for gifts), and lastly, I ordered their new Wooden Photo Ledge (we got the 18″ version) for the Bitty Berkeley Bungalow. I loved this photo ledge because for one thing, we actually have no photos in our little house at all, which is kind-of bizarre considering that both my work as a stylist and interiors writer are all completely based off of imagery.

Since we have triple-lap siding as our walls I have been all too commitment phobic about adding holes where I’m not sure something is going to stay, so we ended up with no photos in our whole space. With the Photo Ledge, I don’t feel like I have to commit to one photo, or even a handful of photos, they can easily be rotated (I would love to say I am the type of person that would have my $%!^ together enough to put up photos of family that is visiting at a particular time, or coordinate it with the seasons, etc, but you know, reality) whenever I want, and I can even tuck photos behind the ones in front so I have the least amount of effort possible, and can just turn them over when I want a change. We’ve been in Bend for the past week, but I couldn’t wait to see how it looked in the flesh, so I took these photos of our prints and ledge at the cabin where we were staying!

Lucky for you, they are still offering expedited shipping for the holidays! But also, like, who wouldn’t want a Happy New Year gift? Insert woman raising her hand emoji here!

What about you? Have you tried Artifact Uprising yet? Is their sustainability what got you, or their modern and well-designed pieces? Thank you AU for making me into a convert!

Basic Invite recently reached out to have me style one of their invites, four ways. Invites are one of my favorite design elements because they give a preview of what’s to come at the wedding itself. Getting those invites on a budget is even better. Paper products can get really expensive when you’re planning a wedding, but the instinct to go cheap may leave you with tissue thin paper, ink that smears, and cheesy designs. This is exactly why I love companies like Basic Invite so much. For one, you can order samples ahead of time (with customized colors, wording, paper type, shape, etc.) so you really know what you’re getting and don’t have to worry about any surprises once your invites arrive.

Here are my four looks with one invite, and this is Basic Invite’s “Watercolor Bouquet,” by the way!

This wedding I imagine would be “elevated preppy meets rustic.” Perhaps a black tie affair, but on a farm, with floral designs that would echo those found on the invite. Featuring calligraphy by Aubriana Kasper and ribbon from Silk & Willow.

This next style is for a couple I imagine getting married in a more modern space– maybe a museum or botanical garden, with a sleek interior. Their flowers would probably be sparse (which makes featuring them on the paper products so fun, because they get to remain minimal), and I could see pops of green from tropical plants perhaps. Featuring calligraphy by Little Miss Press.

The couple that would style their wedding like this loves the country, and summer fading in the twilight, with a little bit of a French touch. Their wedding flowers would look freshly picked and likely would have come from close to the property where the wedding will be taking place. Everything will be beautiful, but have that touch of perfectly imperfect. It will be a relaxed affair where guests linger, talking well into the night.

Our last couple is having a forest fete that’s elegant and a little moody. They love organic elements like this rough-edged ribbon, or the name cards (featuring calligraphy by Bright Room Studio), with elegant envelopes with calligraphy by Little Miss Press, they would have sumptuous floral designs on the tables that are reminiscent of the great Dutch impressionists. Foraged elements would be featured throughout and their dinner would be a main highlight.

While so many elements are customizable with these products, if you’re still worried about your invitation not feeling “curated” enough, you can do what I did and add that fine art look with accessories like vintage stamps, calligraphy on your envelopes, a wax seal, or beautiful ribbon wrapping your invites. Again, your invite is a preview of what will come on the wedding day, it’s something to get your guests excited about your big day! So, what’s your style? Were you surprised that one distinct style of invite really doesn’t lock you into only one look?

*Sponsored content, but all the thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you follow Abi Q on Instagram you know that not only is she hilarious, but her candor and honesty about the joys, and occasionally less-than-glamourous, moments of parenting are not only endearing- but incredibly relatable. She is a talented wedding and portrait photographer with an eye for candid moments and capturing light in the shadows. Abi’s more serious side is a deep-rooted passion for activism, educating children (and adults) on race, and making sure that her kids always have art, toys, and people around them that make them feel represented.

Abi and Ryan’s house is for one, clean- which she assures me is not always the case. Minimal in a storied way, where each trinket and detail comes from a trip or sentimental moment. The house itself is a beautiful 1920′s Spanish Style home with pristine parquet floors (the better to scooter around on and play-out epic Star Wars battles on) and little architectural details to make your heart skip. Hello, over the fireplace nook!

It’s obvious that kids live (and play) in this house, but there’s no question that it’s still a space for adults to enjoy themselves with furniture pieces that are stylish and beautiful, while still being able to have the tiny little kid finger marks easily wiped off of them. After living in an apartment for six years, and towards the end having three small children running around, Abi and Ryan knew it was time to look for a bigger space. Their advice for finding the perfect place in such a competitive rental market? Search right before the holidays because, “No one wants to move then!”

Now they have a home with a back yard to draw chalk people to their hearts content, a basement that has the perfect light for snuggling up and watching “Master Yoda” (as the kids refer to him), and a view of the Bay which rivals that which you would see landing at the Oakland Airport.

-Rebekah

Photography by Abi Q

Ryan works for VSCO and Abi is a photographer, so you can imagine that they have no shortage of amazing photos of them and their family. Their fridge not only makes use of an oft-overlooked space, but it acts as a gallery to all of their adventures and memories. And doughnuts.

Last week I did something admittedly unlike me, I actually went out after a long day styling a shoot (can’t wait to share more of that when it’s published) I know, I amazed myself. Since we moved back to Berkeley I have been trying to let my developed, and somewhat snobbish attitude about how great Oakland was, go by learning about all the amazing shops and creatives that have moved to Berkeley in our absence. One of the newest, and really exciting, businesses that has ventured to Berkeley is Glassybaby.

Have you heard of them? They began in Seattle (which my PNW raised heart felt even more connected to) when Lee Rhodes was suffering through a battle with cancer and a handmade glass vessel from her husband (after she gifted him lessons so that he could have a distraction from her struggle) with a tea light in it became a beacon of calm and hope. To support those supporting her and others who were struggling with their health she began hiring glassblowers to make molds of her husband’s first creation to give as gifts.

This was honestly one of the best nights I have had in a really long time, and the most perfect example of why pushing yourself past your comfort level can be such a good thing. I was invited to join some other bloggers for an intimate dinner at Joanne Weir‘s (renowned chef and author (this is her EIGHTEENTH cookbook!) and host of two PBS cooking shows) home along with Oxmoor House publishing and Sunset Magazine.

It was an incredibly clever concept, to really delve deeply into the new cookbook we would come to Joanne’s house and each bring a dish from the book. Sounds so fun, right? Well, I imagine for someone who considers themselves a chef or even a “cook” this opportunity would probably seem like that of a lifetime! For someone who had about three dishes down pat, then went vegan and could only make sides, then basically just started cooking this summer it was completely and utterly intimidating. Naturally, I chose the most colorful dish (gotta try to utilize the skills I do have, thank you God for styling!) that also didn’t have to be cooked, enter Citrus Salad with Mint & Red Onions. Even with those considerations it became a little overwhelming, I needed kumquats and despite having not one, but two Berkeley Bowls (for those not local, they have just about every kind of produce from every part of the world you could imagine) near me, I couldn’t find them. Great, now Joanne’s going to think I don’t respect her recipe. Then when I began actually preparing the dish it turns out that my Grandma’s Publisher’s Clearing House (PCH, for die-hards like her) knives haven’t been sharpened in awhile and are going to produce nothing like the pristine circles of citrus that are perfectly and evenly sliced as you see in the cookbook. After turning the kitchen into a citrus bloodbath (sticky, but my heavens did it smell delicious in there!) I attempted to style my jagged slices into something resembling a salad.

When I arrived at Joanne’s house I tried to sort-of sneak my dish into the fridge so I wouldn’t have to see her at the moment she saw what I brought. It was like watching someone you’ve never met open a really personal gift you’ve just given them. I focused instead on the flowers that I was arranging for the evening, something that I felt was ever-so-slightly more in my breadth. Joanne was incredibly complimentary about the flowers and giving me input as to where to put each of the arrangements. (Isn’t Joanne’s plate collection incredible? …and that light!)

Having broken the ice (and admittedly, asking a friend first) I asked Joanne to try the vinaigrette before I drizzled it all over the salad (and, I feared, ruining it if it wasn’t good). I had never made a sweet vinaigrette before so it was hard to judge its flavor. Joanne was so incredibly generous and even called it “delicious!” She was actually completely amused by how nervous all of us were (turns out I wasn’t the only one debating canceling when my dish wasn’t turning out the way I had hoped) about showing her our versions of her treasured recipes!

That’s actually my favorite thing about Kitchen Gypsy, this is a cookbook (obviously) but it’s also a memoir-in food form. She takes memories and attaches them to recipes, which really, I think I (and so many of us) associate certain times and memories with meals.

My honeymoon is punctuated with memories of dutch cookies, the best green beans I’ve ever had in my life, and lamb (sorry, pre-veggie days) in Aruba. I associate childhood memories of times with my beloved Aunt Candy, who has now passed, with her deviled eggs, garlic bread and homemade blue-cheese dressing. Now I can remember this laughter and conversation-filled night with Oaxacan Chocolate Milkshakes (which I have truly not stopped thinking about since), her Mom’s Tomato Sandwiches which ask for homemade bread which I have admittedly not made to go along with- but picked up someone else’s homemade bread and made many times already since this night!

I don’t want to give away too much about the book, but it’s honestly beautiful and filled with exactly what I care about–ephemera, memories, hilarious stories (like finding a fly in a bottle of wine which turned into a life-changing trip to France for the first time) and family traditions.

Thank you so much Joanne for being so welcoming and supportive and for sharing so many wonderful stories and so much delicious food to pair with it! All neurosis aside, my salad ended up looking pretty beautiful despite my knife issues, and most importantly, it was delicious!