Creole Wisdom

from the archives...

 

Photo from senior send off, taken on the best porch in world history: Alpha Omicron Pi.

Three years ago...

 

crown braids

I admit I am obsessing over crown braids. I love them for multiple reasons:

1- They are so easy to do (I did mine in the car!)

2- They look elegant and messy at the same time

3- They keep hair off your neck during the oppressive summer heat

I never thought I could french braid my own hair, but I do it in the mirror and that helps. I can also braid other people's hair. I should probably sit out on my front step and start charging money to do this (ya right.)

How do you wear your hair in the summer?

efficient.

My landlord has a contest every month. Whoever has the lowest utility bill gets a prize. Let's face it, I didn't think I'd ever win. But, I do try to keep my energy level low. I keep everything unplugged unless I'm using it and the lights are always off during the day. Last month my energy bill totaled $19 and I was the winner! I received this lovely $25 gift card to my local, friendly* co-op.

*I went there Wednesday to pick up goat cheese and cucumbers. In the bulk aisle a crabby woman was slapping around her sweet 11-year-old daughter for "interrupting her." I honestly was disgusted. I glared at her and she glared back. Usually I would say something myself, but she looked a little scary so I just walked by. Her daughter was crying. That's behavior that's unacceptable and so I told the manager. She wasn't happy and went and spoke to this woman. If she does that in public goodness knows what she does at home. God is certainly trusting with who He allows to be parents sometimes... sigh...

mother-daughter photo shoot

This year for mother's day I wanted to surprise my wonderful mom with something special. After going through all of grandma's photos I realized that mom and I haven't had a professional portrait taken of us since I was eight.

One thing I really took away from that sorting experience is how important it is to have professional (notice I'm using that word again) photographs taken of your family. In all stages of life and frequently because time passes quickly and photos are to be cherished.

Believe you me I am all about snapshots and casual photos. But I really believe it's important to do this once and a while. God forbid something happen to someone... But sincerely, please go book a session today because you never know.

Now to lighten the mood :) My friend and photographer JoAnne happened to have some open time in her busy schedule and I along with family pitched in to buy a session. Mom had no idea until a week beforehand. I wanted her to have time to shop and make hair appointments if she wanted.
           

There's no way around it, preparing for something like this is kind of stressful. Moms of multiple or little children how do you do this!?! I think I took half my closet over to mom's and we were rushing to the last minute figuring out what we were going to wear. I wish I had ironed my dress...

All afternoon I watched the weather like an obsessed person because of course this is the day we can do it and it's the only day that had rain all week. I prayed a really serious prayer and God followed through in His mercy. I'm so grateful the weather held up until the very last shot (I'm not kidding.) It was windy and oh, my eyebrows are a terrible mess but I'll have you know they look picture perfect now! Isn't that how it goes, though?

Mom and I love hats, we love being feminine and getting dressed up. We were going with a more classic look and that quilt we're sitting on was a gift from grandma. July marks two years since grandma's death and we still miss her. I know she would love these photos.
              I think this is my favorite shot, I love it. I am grateful to JoAnne for making the magic happen and for mom who was even up for this. I'm over my eyebrows and my messed up ex-ballerina legs and knees. The important thing is that we have photos that are lovely!

vintage trunk

I found this delectable vintage trunk on a rainy day in Stockholm, WI. It may or may not be the best $15 I've ever spent. Also, notice my other "trunk," found at Butcher + Boar. I saved him from a dismal future of firewood. I plan to place white candles on top...

I really love the details.

answered prayers

I am still reflecting about the business that was April! One thing I've wanted to tell you all is how I know there is no way I would be able to do all I do without the help and often silent support of those around me.

Sometimes I have a shoot, on location somewhere and I know I'll need people in the shot. Lucky for me I have darling, fashionable, cute friends who often fill in and it's a win-win for all. I make my deadline, my boss is happy and friends magically appear on the pages of The Magazine.

Last month three friends really stepped in to help me, they were answered prayers. I mean that. They filled in when I needed someone desperately, during a small time window and did so with kindness and the willingness to drop their own lives and schedules.

I am so grateful.

Thank you Kristy, Thank you Joy and Thank you Becky!

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InstaFriday

Good morning! I am excited to share with you my instagram photos from the week. I'm linking up with Life Rearranged. My handle is creolewisdom.

Doesn't my trunk look great? I still need to finish my stump//My mom gave me this beautiful bracelet after I had a little breakdown our first night in Stockholm :}

Vintage, yet functioning gas pump somewhere outside of Hastings//I love reading God's word and I'm not afraid to mark it up

There is something about the spine of vintage books//I made oatmeal cookies for my church small group, Alpha

This week I was diligent (and successful) at journaling every morning. I think journaling really pays off//I love this new dress from Forever21, it's a bit hard to see but it's navy blue with daisies on it

red wing & stockholm part 2

Our final day was a great one! We started out with a breakfast of eggs, fruit and waffles after one perfect night's sleep.

sweet old horses outside of Miesville/Cultural Cloth helps women in other countries and sells the most delicious textiles/beautiful Minnesota farmland/I guess they put advertisements on drinking glasses now o_O/why is spinach so good?/more vintage cans/I found the best passion fruit candle at this flower shop/scary little clown/chair after chair after chair on the way to Stockholm

I cannot get over the beauty of vintage green glass!

A few more accolades: The Palate in Stocholm, Antiques and Stuff in Ellsworth, Echo's of the Past in Bay City and Inspired Home & Flower Studio in Red Wing.

It rained and rained and poured then thundered. We were not deterred from enjoying good mother-daugther adventures. While in Stockholm we found ourselves at a little shop where I spied this beautiful antique trunk for $15 and mom a lovely 1940s pink dress.

I am over-the-moon about that trunk which explains my obnoxious pose

After the rain finally stopped we walked over to The Brick House for an incredible dinner of strawberry spinach salad and pasta. I loved their leather menus...

how come leather smells so good?!

We walked back and took a small tour of the hotel. It is just magnificent. I loved all the small, historical details they had placed throughout. Usually we stay at bed & breakfasts so this was a fun change. Oh, and the sheets. They have the most heavenly, one million thread count I'm quite certain sheets.

gourmet, local root beer

Here is what I will remember the most about our little trip: the incredible Mexican food first thing in Red Wing for dinner, which was such a surprise for small town Minnesota, the tiny towns all along the train line, the history of the area

this charming house, right near the train tracks :)

Spying enough Fire King jadeite to fill my entire apartment and having the sense to realize I do indeed have enough but it's good to know it's out there in case I want to expand my collection (yeah right!)

Mostly just spending time with mom and having a wonderful time. I hope we can go back again soon!

on our way home...

red wing & stockholm part 1

My mom planned the perfect getaway trip right in time for me. In the nick of time. Do you ever have moments like that? I am so grateful to have a little escape from everyday life :) I love Red Wing, as you know, and this time we spent some time in Stockholm for the wonderful boutiques, pie shop but also the several garage sales in the area. What can I say? I love a good garage sale.

Red Wing shoes are famous!

Where we stayed: St. James Hotel in downtown Red Wing (gorgeous)

Where we eat: The Stockholm Pie Company, Red Brick House & Gelly's Pub

Beyond shopping: Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery tour (a little long but worth the pepper jam I got to buy on our way out, and the free glasses!)

mom checks out the newspaper on sales... 100 miles!

I feel like when you garage/antique shop you have to keep a list in your head of what you specifically need and try not to get out of control. No one wants their house to be an antique store, know what I mean? At least this is what I think of. I have a few things I've been looking for and a few I thought I could only hope for (but found- more on that later). 

Old powder cans amaze me/This shop sold the coolest handcrafted rugs/I love this red door in RED wing :)/pretty pansies/necklaces from Gautemala/rooster pillow!/more famous shoes/the streets of downtown Red Wing/This signage is beautiful to me

The most incredible (hands down) kitchen shop I've ever stepped foot in/it rained almost all of Saturday so no wonder stuff is so green here/I wanted this old camera so badly, but not for $75/This apron from forementioned kitchen shop/Apple crisp a la mode/beautiful doors/where we did lunch/one of my favorite Minneapolis boutiques has a small shop in Stockholm, too/gourmet oil

 

ready to go... shopping!

Of course the best part of this trip has been the wonderful time I've been able to spend with mom (who hates her smile in this photo.) I am so glad we get along and love to do the same things!

InstaFriday

Good morning! I am excited to share with you my instagram photos from the week. I'm linking up with Life Rearranged. My handle is creolewisdom. I just went private on there, but you can request me and as long as you're not a) a creepy old man b) a creepy young man/thug, I will accept you.

My awesome friend Shannon made me this phone case, you can find yours here//Mom's part whole wheat cinnamon rolls

Finally finding suitable fabric for living room pillows, it has been a struggle!//Farm fresh eggs from Local D'lish market

I had to do a beer shoot for work so here's what the aftermath looked like. I poured all of it down the drain, beer is not my thing//I always wear my seatbelt, do you?

Old prom photos, this was from the time I went as a freshman in 2002 (where did the time go?)//I wrote this up on my mini chalk board for the National Day of Prayer, I think my chalk writing is getting better!

One of my favorite shoots from last month's issue, those wings were so good//this piece of wood is going to be a table for my living room, more on that later!