Our Wedding Day

© Kristen Marie Parker | 2019 

It's been over a month, and I still barely even know how to begin writing about this day.  SO much work went into this day.  So many hours of planning and driving and thinking and meeting people and combing the internet to make decisions that felt just SO BIG.

When we got engaged I really didn't have a whole lot of a picture or idea as to what planning a wedding takes.   I had only really attended a handful of weddings, and I had no idea what it would be like, or what it would feel like planning a wedding other than what you see in TV and movies.  The only thing I really knew going in was that no wedding is the same, and whatever we ended up doing would naturally be very 'us' because we would naturally choose things that are things we like, right?

One Windy Morning

I'm not totally sure what it is about the water that makes it have such a calming effect on me.  Sometimes I feel the best way to clear my mind is just to make my way down to the lake and sit on the rocks for a few minutes, watching the waves come crashing in. 

Billows and Breeze

It's funny, this shoot was definitely one that would fall under my personal category of 'Not so Great'.  But, I've been trying hard to not be so hard on myself creatively, so I wanted to work through my struggles and still get this one up for all that it's worth.  

Afternoon in the Orchard

Ah, September.

I think September might be my favorite month out of the whole year.   I think its generally a little under-appreciated, because all month people are racing to get to October, mentally.  A lot of people have the stress of the 'back to school' season, either prepping their kids for the return to school, or readjusting to campus life... and then the next thing on a lot of people's minds is crisp autumn air, PSL's and Halloween.

But September is in my opinion, the best weather month of the year to get out and enjoy.

Travel Planning

I'm big on planning. I love planning out my week, setting goals, planning meals out, planning how to tackle projects, you name it.  I love taking a big problem and breaking it down and ironing out every little detail.  So when it comes to planning trips, I am 100% in my element.  I love researching our

Fresh from the Fields

I've been wondering a lot lately why we are so prone to procrastination.  It often seems like there's this little voice going, "we could do that, OR... we could just do something else instead", even when it's things that we really will be happy we did.  Like sweeping the kitchen or studying for a big test, or sometimes for me, going out and shooting these outfit photos.  I'm always excited once I get home to get the images on my desktop and start sifting through and editing, choosing the best shots and painting in light here and there.   I love styling the outfits, and even writing my little blurb of thoughts

Endless Summer

Often times I feel like I catch myself in taking for granted the truly beautiful surroundings that we have here in Chicago.  We live very near to the city and I often find myself yearning for the wide open spaces more than the bustling city life — but we do have little pockets of wonder at our disposal like the beaches that line our Great Lake.  And I do love the giant rocks that hug Lake Michigan all along its coast. We definitely don't take enough advantage of the

In My Cart for Fall : 9 Cute Autumn Outfits I'm Loving Right Now

Neutral Minimalist
Shein Cropped Sweater  |  Modcloth Earrings  |  Modcloth Cropped Pants

Fall clothes are hitting stores, and man are there some cute pieces out there right now!  I've rounded up some of my favorites into some cute autumn looks you can go shop right now, with nine easy outfits for fall.  Some of my favorite things I'm seeing include great neutral earth tone pieces and wood details, bold plaid patterns, corduroy, tweed and velvet textures, and monochrome embroidered elements!

On Being an Artist

"A true artist's work reflects his or her life + thoughts.  When a true artist is creating a
piece of art, there is nothing else on his or her mind; it is an escape from the real world."

— Kokil Sharma, Elite Daily

In college I majored in Fine Art.

I have two bachelor's degrees in Fine Art.

But for some reason I never thought of myself as "an artist".

Summatime Chi

Hi there!

I'm just over here enjoying these sun-filled days and cherishing the few great beach days there are left!

September has felt like summer more than anything the last few years, and though retailers are plunging into the depths of fall already, and pumpkin spice lattes abound, I am just feeling thankful for the warmth of the sun on my skin and the flowers happily soaking it up around me!

Lovely Little Refresh

You may have noticed a few changes happening around these pages!

Coming back from the PNW last month after Andrew and I joined in marriage, I wanted to take some time to reflect.  To reassess, and to really listen to my heart and the artist inside of me to tell me what