DIY floral crown

Flower Crown

Supplies:
Thick Brown Floral Wire
Thin Green Floral Wire
Floral Tape
Pliers/ Wire Cutters
Scissors
A varied selection of fake or fresh flowers, twigs, grasses, berries, buds, etc.

Just a note: fresh flower crows stay in the fridge for about 2 days.

Instructions:
1. Measure your head and use the pliers to snip a piece of brown wire that is long enough to go around two or three times. then twist your wire around to secure it. You can do this a few different ways; either twist the two ends of wire and then fold to the side, or wrap the ends around the crown part of the wire. Your wire should be one big circle with nothing poking out. 2. Next, I suggest plotting your flowers out before you start taping, just to make sure you know what you want. You can put a few big flowers in first and then fill it in with grasses, buds, and smaller flowers. maybe even take a peek on Pintrest and find a design you like and make that your template. 3. When you're ready to secure the flowers, cut the stem to be about 1-2 inches. Hold it to where you want it to sit on your crown and start wrapping the tape around. You'll end up having to overlap the stems, so keep that in mind. Also, it's best to work from one side to the other, or from the center out. Keep going till you're happy with the way it looks. You can keep a little bit in the back uncovered, or you can do flowers around the entire thing.

One thing I love about this project is that you can make a crown to fit every season; for a Fall crown, you can use autumn colored flowers and leaves, and for a Winter/Christmas crown, you can use berries, evergreen branches, etc. Here's a few more pictures for reference, and cause they look super cool ;)

Lake Michigan Family Reunion: Part Duo

A couple weeks ago we had our annual up north camping trip, aka the best week of my Summer--and this year I got to bring my best friend along!

We had a great day at the Mill Creek Discovery Park. He convinced me to do the zip line (it really wasn't that bad in hindsight...haha) And we also got to climb a rock wall. It was so much more challenging than I would have thought! Definitely mind over matter for me. ps I reached the top ;) 

Michael and I spent a day on Mackinaw Island. We had lunch at the Pink Pony, biked some gorgeous trails to Arch Rock, got some ice cream by the pier, and I got to go shopping at my favorite places. My love affair with the island continues.

This here is Tahquamenon Falls, or as my dad calls it, the upside down root beer float. We had a nice little picnic and hike to the falls.

one of my favorite parts of the trip was our dinner at Leggs Inn. Leggs is the *epitome* of up north kitsch. Log cabin with totem polls and lots of Polish food. My Polish boy pronounced everything on the menu for me and explained what it was. In the end I got a salad (so American I know) that was literally the size of my head. Literally. Could've fed a small country with that thing. 

I love where I live.

summer date ideas

picnic: the epitome of summer romance. i love how simple to put together and meaningful picnics are.

drive-in movie or outdoor concert: just like the old days! grab some popcorn, blankets, and get cozy. i love this idea because it's fun, creative, and low key.

festival, carnival, or fair: this is another classing summer staple. get him to win you a teddy bear, eat funnel cake, ride the ferris wheel. be a kid again!

dancing: i'm a part of an outdoor swing dancing every monday night from may to august and it's one of my favorite things about summer. it's a great way to get some exercise, have fun, and get to know each other. bonus points for dressing in 40's attire.

bowling, roller skating or mini golf: nothing like a little healthy, fun competition. great entertainment, while still allowing opportunities for focusing on your date. bowling is great for those rainy summer days!

baseball game: complete with hot dog, cotton candy, or other old-timey stadium food of your choice. it's such a throwback! there's something about a good old fashioned ball game with your love.

campfire + star gazing: There's no better way to spend a summer evening than being cozied up by a fire, eating s'mores and staring at the stars. not to mention the smell of a campfire is addicting. just add some fuzzy blankets and you're good to go!

day trips: here in michigan we have a lot of beautiful, exciting options for day trips up north. if you live somewhere with not a lot to its name, that's okay--you can always stay close to home! the point is to get out of the familiarity of your hometown and have an adventure. a great bonding experience if i do say so myself :)

pizza on the beach at sunset: this one is my personal favorite. go to the beach for a day of fun and relaxation, then finish it out with yummy pizza while enjoying God's creation. this will definitely be happening this summer!

bike ride + ice cream: cardio and a reward. plus you get to enjoy the summer breeze? win win.

i can't wait to do some of these this summer :)

until next time!

xo kate

summer mix tape, vol 2.

make them gold // chvrches

sugar // maroon 5

heartbeat // mat kearney

favorite song // ben rector

all of you // betty who

wake me up before you go go // wham!

can't stop the feeling // justin timberlake

daddy lessons // beyonce

paper thin // astrid s

sweet nothing // gabrielle aplin

what a feeling // one direction

the sound // the 1975

amazing day // coldplay

style // taylor swift

labor day fest

live music, carnival food, swing dancing, and friends. it doesn't get much better. 

xoxo, 

kate

up north 2015 - lake michigan

Last week I spent three days camping up north by the shore of Lake Michigan. We were at the same campsite as last year, so we had the same beautiful view! Everything is so beautiful up north, it's like a completely different state. It's hard to believe it's only a couple hours' drive away from home.

family and the beach = peaceful.

Our first day we visited Mackinac Island. Despite the crowds, it's honestly one of my favorite places.

The ferry that took us to the island and back. We sat on the top and got soaked! 

The ferry took us under the bridge!

We saw so many cute cottages on the island, I didn't know what to do with myself.

We also saw Tahquamenon Falls--or, as my dad calls it, the upside down root beer float.

Lake Michigan at sunset...stunning.

The cutest little corner store we passed in the upper peninsula.

Nothing beats those sunsets.

xoxo,

Kate

summer to-do

Senior year of high school is finally coming to a close (graduation is in less than a week!) and I'm actually pretty ok with it. I think it's because it hasn't really sunken into my head yet. Or it could be because I'm super excited for summer :) I thought I'd share my to-do list for this summer because hey, why not.

1. Eat Healthier
Because I had a crap diet during the school year--thank you stress eating! This summer I'm going to do my best to eat better. This includes more water, more greens, less sugar, and actually eating at the correct times. Heh heh.

2. Take a Walk
Because I live on a beautiful country road, and yet I never go on walks.....ever. time to get off my butt and tone those legs (not because I hate them, but because I love them and want them to be the very best they can be!)

3. Learn Guitar
Because it's something I've always wanted to learn.

4. Sewing
Because I know the basics of sewing, though I've never had the patience to sit and get it perfect--But there are just way too many adorable tutorials on Pintrest.

5. Daily Mass
Because I want to visit Him more than I normally do.

6. Grow my Business
Because I'm starting to get really serious about my photography business, so this summer is the perfect time to get organized.

7. Unplug
Because I'm willing to admit that I'm a wee bit too in love with my iPhone. So this summer I want to try spending a whole weekend without my phone (maybe even a week if I'm brave!) I love the idea of unplugging from the world and making memories that are special and not plastered all over social media.

8. Read
Because I have a laundry list of books I want to read, so I plan on spending lots of afternoons under a tree with a blanket and a book.

9. Explore
Because memories don't make themselves, and I want to enjoy my friends' company before we all go our separate ways. A picnic in the park, trip to the museum, beach day, or even just spontaneous photoshoots are great ways to spend time with friends before we all go off to college in September.

10. Cook
Because there are so many delicious recipes I want to try, and I love food.

What's on your Summer to-do list?

take me to the beach

If you live in Michigan like I do, you've probably seen those "Pure Michigan" commercials. Every time I see them I think "Uh, I dunno where in Michigan that is, cause the only Michigan I know is weeds for grass, bipolar weather and road construction."

Up North, people. That's where it is.

I went camping up by Lake Michigan with my family a few weeks ago. And when I say by, I mean on.

I took this picture from the picnic table.

Yeah buddy.

Seriously though, this is a pretty apt description of how I feel about that beach.

You better believe I instagramed the heck outta that place!

The Fantastic Four, minus Conner (aka Snuggly Buggly)

The Tardis, people. The TARDIS. 

Why so serious?

The end of a long day at Tahquamenon Falls.

This Bald Eagle was perched WAAAAAAAY up high...only my bazooka lens could reach it.

Swimming in Le Lake Michigan

I present to you, the O'Brien weirdos.

Before you start thinking "Wow, the OBriens love eachother enough to hold hands!" You should know that we were just posing for the picture ;)

GEESE!!!! This picture was taken about ten seconds before a bunch of German dudes asked me to take their picture for them. That's right, German dudes. I can check that one off the bucket list.

The Mighty Mac

Havin' a nice ol' lunch on the patio at The Tea Room (Macinac Island)

That moment you realize your Mama isn't in any of the pictures because she was the one behind the camera...

There you go, Mama. 

Have a great day!

*Black and white photo edited with A Beautiful Mess app.