An Inspiring Weekend...

Well...it's time everyone...I've been waiting all week to tell you about my inspiring weekend...to show pictures {although I must say I just got caught up with everything at Kasey's event that I don't have any pictures during the event...but I'll link some blogs that have some...taken by fabulous and beautiful Kim herself}

...And I've been excited to announce the winners...not so fast yet...because I'm back to my inspiring weekend...

When I sit down and think about my trip, my drive, the wonderful women I met, Kasey's inspiring evening {which I re-named a couple posts back to Inspiring weekend...because it truly was an inspiring weekend} I almost feel at a loss of words...it was that spectacular...

I spent most of my time with 3 beautiful women I just adore {Kasey, Kim and Jill}...2 I just met over the weekend {Kim and Jill} since I had already met Kasey before when I traveled to her sale...I had so much fun with them...getting to know them...hearing their passions...and just talking about life...what we love...why we love it...Jill you just have a sweet heart and so welcoming with your words...so inspiring and wonderful {Miss Kasey and Kim...I didn't forget you...but since I've written below since you hosted my dear and Kim you spoke}

I cannot even tell you how wonderful they were and how thankful I was able to spend quite a bit of time with them...amazing women with a love for vintage...every single person I met had such a welcoming heart...it floored me...I really shouldn't be shocked by that but I was and I still really am...I took away so much from every single person I talked to...and when I think about the weekend...I drove home a very inspired girl!

I'm inspired to do more with my vintage love...I'm inspired to continue my work towards my dream with my business...I'm inspired to continue to make relationships with these women I now treasure...and I'm inspired to share with you that I have friendships developing that make me feel good...that make me smile...laugh...and appreciate me for me.

To be honest...I am still working on showing more of myself outwardly to people...I love to listen to others and find what makes people tick but when it comes to me...I still close off sometimes...because in reality...it is who I am to be on the quieter side sometimes...but I'm also really not either...I tell you all very often...I am a continual work in progress to share me...fully me...and I just know it will happen...and I have many many wonderful women over this past weekend who helped me do that even more...I promise I will get there...but for now...I appreciate every moment I shared with each inspiring woman...

When I think about women inspiring women...my heart goes pitter patter with joy...it makes me smile...laugh...and appreciate friendships so much. When Kasey mentioned in a post that she had the idea pop in her head {I don't remember or recall when} that she wanted to host such an event...an inspiring one...mind you...that is truly what she meant...and she did!

I enjoyed a fabulous dinner the night before...went for a run Saturday...and met the girls at Christina's shop ~ Sage Creek ~ whom I also met the night before...a wonderful, wonderful woman and shop mind you...and then off to lunch with my friend Melanie in Geneva where we also walked around some local shops...

This was a weekend where I became recharged...refreshed...inspired...thankful...and grateful to so many people. Personally I have layers of stuff to shed...but these women made it okay for me now...I hadn't been away from my kiddos and hubby at the same time well since before kiddos...so I knew this would be a trip for me to do...something that would be great just for me...I loved that! I love girl time!

I know...I know...I haven't even gotten to the evening yet...but all of these pictures are from Kasey's beautiful home...now realize please I am not a photographer...so if you would like to see some great photos please visit this link to Kasey's inspired post and to Kim from Mimi Charmante...she's the wonderful photographer that talked to us...about basics girls...because basics is what most of us needed...and now I'm sorry to say...I would like a new camera...I miss my old camera the way it takes photos...but it just isn't digital...I love the one I have...but now I want to do more...learn more...and take better photos with a great camera...Kim inspired me personally in so many ways....but she also inspired me to really look behind the lens and how to do those fantastic pictures...she is amazing to say the least...and her photos are just that great!...so I'm saving my pennies girls!

Kasey pampered us with appetizers...wine...gift boxes...stacked up high below...and so many gifts donated from so many sponsors we all walked away with a treasure chest...we drew numbers for a gift...received a beautifully wrapped gift box...

but more importantly to me anyway than the gifts was just her precious hosting {Kasey} ~ she has a true love for people...and kindness that is inspiring...I just enjoyed my time with her...she inspired me to open up more...to blog about everything my heart desires~no holding back...and to keep doing my style little by little...I have a love for vintage...for me...it's a vintage with some beachy accents...whites...creams...but I also have to have some color too...and I love how we all can personalize our vintage style to reflect who we are...our homes are a reflection of who we are...so why not stock it with things you really only truly LOVE...I've always had a love for this style...but you know I waited...waited...and waited to do anything about it...and finally about a year and a half ago...I said no more...I'm just going to do it...add piece by piece as I go along...and I'm doing just that now...

{I couldn't resist taking a shot of this #13 since it is my FAV}

I'm inspired by lovely Christina from Sage Creek who has her own shop...she's got to be one of the sweetest persons and a love for vintage since she was a little girl...I loved hearing about when she knew her style...from a very young age ~ she was born to do what she does!!!...Me I'm still learning. As a young girl...I would wear dresses and my mom would buy me the cutest shoes to go with them...but I refused of course being the stubborn girl that I am and had to wear cowboy boots with every outfit...I think my mom was mortified in the beginning just because she would always plan our outfits as moms do of young girls...and NOPE I just wouldn't do it...but she finally accepted it and laughs at it now...now I don't think cowboy boots are necessarily my style...but I realized when Christina was talking that I made a style choice even at that age...I wanted to be me...and only me...I'm honestly still finding my style {I know what I love...it's not that with clothes...it's finding what I love} because I have spent so much time growing up hiding my girlie side. It was always there...but I never reflected it...never...but when I did this dress post awhile back...I realized I am going to embrace my girlie side because it is one of my favorite sides to be honest...life is about more than how we look so that is not what she was saying. But how we dress is an expression...a very important expression of us! ...you should present yourself with what reflects you as a person...and no one else...that people are watching and can learn about you in just how you present yourself...that you can be comfortable and stylish {like my shoes on the drive down}...and times where frankly it may be out of your comfort zone but go for it if it's you! Find what makes you...you and wear it with confidence.

So me...this girl who now wears more dresses...who has always loved to have a few ruffles here and there...who loves her black, grey...browns...and pops of colors too...her boots and flats...isn't changing who I am but will start reflecting my heart, soul, and me more...so don't think I'm changing me...I'm just going to show you more of me!

{and shells I love...}

Now you all know...maybe I'm becoming known for super long-winded posts...but sharing my thoughts in written form has always come easy. I know I'm not the best writer...but just stay with me a bit longer...I'm almost done...it is just those 20 page essays I had to whip out in college almost every week to blame that I write so much...

The evening wasn't over before each and everyone of us got to sit down with eliwill and her twin sister ~ Brooke to make and design our own key necklaces...now that was so fun and interesting but I do have to admit that I had A LOT of help...but that was okay because it was the process I enjoyed so much.

Sunday morning came to say goodbyes and to be thankful my entire drive home...it was a peaceful drive where in the box we were gifted with a lovely CD from Kasey...and I got asked from hubby how many times I listened to it...well my response was since I forgot my CD's maybe 3 times with some interruption for Christmas songs too and a couple of 80's songs...yes you heard me...I have a thing for 80's music...remember I said music...not 80's fashion...

so thank you Kasey and every woman that was a part of this inspiring weekend. I met so many lovely women that I was inspired by all!

Now are you all ready to jump for joy for the winners...because I am...now I didn't do the automated generator...just didn't...I did the old fashioned way...because I think it is funner {I know not a word}...and trust us...we were honest with it...

and the winners...


for Kasey's package she will put together for you...





Shannon from the Carbajals Family ~ you can visit Kasey with your contact information when you visit her blog and e-mail her from there...




For a $30 certificate to Tara's Vintage Kitchen....




Christina from Sage Creek....please contact Tara through her shop and by clicking on the link above...




For a $30 certificate for Tracey's shop at French Larkspur...



Chris...we've got your e-mail so I'll e-mail that to Tracey and expect a wonderful e-mail back from her on how to redeem your certificate...




Thank you everyone for entering...and yep...she has dreams of one in the spring...and I have hopes of going again as long as you can repeat attendance you know...oh wow...it was wonderful...and if you ever need music during the day...hop on over to Kasey's blog and turn the volume up!

Blessings to you!