West Elm - A Wedding Registry Event

My crush on West Elm started before I could afford it. I was in that post-college wasteland of decorating my apartment with whatever my roommate and I could get our hands on. It wasn't that I didn't *like* Ikea anymore (for the record: still do. Love it, in fact), more that I felt I was supposed to have outgrown it.  But spending upwards of $1,000 on a couch seemed ludicrous, so we compromised and just used stuff from our parents' garages and when the West Elm catalogue came in the mail we'd toss it onto our Ikea end table with a wistful sigh.

The crush escalated to flirtation when I moved into my third New York apartment and my tastes, budget, and luck finally aligned: our big bright airy gem of an apartment bordered the Dumbo neighborhood, where the flagship West Elm is located nestled amidst the cobblestoned streets, adjacent to industrial warehouses. I bought throw pillows, a tray, bowls and picture frames and blankets. Plus, we were the lucky recipients of a West Elm Market around the corner, so I started to bring home soaps, candles, dishtowels, tiny potted plants, and barware.  Our place smelled amazing, you guys.

Now that we live in Austin, and my part-time job is right across the street from the West Elm, it's basically turned into a full blown love affair. We bought a living room chair there (first West Elm furniture purchase: achievement UNLOCKED!) and then when the time came to register for our wedding, I was thrilled that West Elm had recently joined the land of bridal insanity by offering a registry for the first time. It's new, and still a little glitchy, but has basically allowed me to begin curating the home of my dreams - husband mostly indifferent to this development.  

This is all to say that when I heard about an opportunity to be part of an in-store event there to celebrate the official introduction of West Elm wedding registry services, I jumped at the chance. Like I've mentioned before, Austin is developing a fabulously collaborative community of creatives with whom I truly love to work, and this event was no exception!

Curated and styled by the women of Earth + Orb, and featuring the local talents of F2 Floral Design, Michelle's Patisserie, Loot Vintage Rentals, Firehouse Libations, Laura Morsman Photography, Oh Happy Day! Luxury Photo Booths, The Glamping Group, Wool and Weave, Sweetwater Florals, 3 of Cups, Katie J Photography, Ash Renee Photography, AND Peached Tortilla (phew!) we turned West Elm into a mini-wedding expo for local brides and grooms. 
Oh, and I was there, too:
 

It was a great kick to get me moving towards creating evergreen product, and to get some samples presentable in a pretty way. Plus, talking about yourself and your business in person to customers and fellow collaborators when you mostly work from home in pajamas is a great exercise.  I also had a very handsome assistant + business manager to help me out (thanks, M!).

The cards created for the event are now for sale in my shop - a line of cards for brides-to-be including "Will you be my bridesmaid?" cards and notes to give your parents and your future spouse on your wedding day.  

Thanks, West Elm! See you in five minutes when I come back for that Spiked Cider candle!