Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Bring on the Boot Cuffs...

I know, I know... 
It is finally just now summer 
but I am already starting to get excited about fall!
 I try not to pick favorites but lets be honest, 
Fall is the season for the cutest accessories and that is my specialty!
Last year, I was not prepared for the amazing success
 Cherry Lane Bowtique brought on. 
I am taking those lessons I learned from last year  
and I am starting early on my my stock pile! 
No running out of buttons this year...(thanks a lot Hobby Lobby).
This also means I will have more time for special orders, 
which I absolutely love! 
There is going to be a lot more baby items too.
Since it seems like everyone is having babies,
 I have been making baby hats and blankets like crazy!!! 
[Babies make my heart happy] 
I can not wait to see what this year holds for my little shop. 
Keep your eyes open for Cherry Lane in some local shops! 
It is in the works and I can barely contain my excitement!






[^^Photo above^^ courtesy of Kingsley House Photography]

Oh and check out this sweetness... CherryLaneBowtique on the Pottery Barn Wedding Blog!!!! Life is definitely sweet on Cherry Lane.

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!!
Shannon



 

Monday, June 2, 2014

My first anniversary as a Cooper... Couldn't be happier



Tomorrow June 3rd is our 1st year wedding anniversary. 
I married my soul mate and my best friend that day. Even through a Hurricane, our love was what was important and we made it happen with rain or shine...but mostly rain. haha. 

The Good Lord gave us a break from Barbara for long enough to make it through our ceremony and pictures. Obviously it wasn't the typical Pinterest wedding but it was absolutely perfect for us. Everything pulled together at the last second.

 Our love conquers everything and means more than anything. 
 It has always been that way since day one. 
People say that Love at first site doesn't exist, its only for fairy tales. I beg to differ...

The day I met Matthew on 3.5.2011, I knew in that instant that I had to be near him. I had to have him. My soul felt complete with him. I trusted my gut instinct and knew that this man would be my forever. He is my gift from the Lord. Some days I don't think I deserve him (others he may not deserve me haha) but we balance each other out so perfectly. 
We have such a deep love for each other and I never thought I would ever find that.

 
He cares so much about our family, he would do anything to get us everything we could possibly want. The soul that is in that man is so deep and has so much love.  Sometimes I just wish he knew how truly special he is. He has made me the happiest wife and mother. 

He helped me (he likes to think he had a lot more to with it than he actually did...) create the most precious gift. Our Ella Grace. I am so grateful for him every single day. He is the best father to our beautiful baby girl. I mean he worships that little girl. I could not have asked for a better father for my baby. {Maybe a few more girls night...but I'm working on him haha}.  He works so hard at work to provide for his family. There are not enough words in the english language to say how proud and thankful I am. He is such a Man and he is MY MAN! 

God has such a beautiful plan for us and I can not wait to live this plan with you FOREVER. You are my Life, My Soul, My whole Heart. I have loved you Matthew Allan Cooper from the first day I met you and I will love you until forever. You are totally stuck with me. 










Saturday, May 31, 2014

Saturday art inspirations...


Today I was sitting out in my parents beautiful front yard admiring the sunshine colored Iris' that were blooming. I was so inspired and decided maybe I would bust out my old watercolor set from high school. I just started sketching and I could not believe how my anxiety (which never leaves) was lifted away. 


Now I am deffinately out of practice. I haven't painted since High school art but I thought this turned out pretty decent for just jumping right in. I am deffinately going to keep painting because it such a good way to meditate.
My Dad's side of the family are all incredible artists. My Grandma always was inspiring my cousins and I to use our creative side. She was so talented just like her mother. I am so envious of their skills. 
My beautiful Grandma's artwork

The picture below is my favorite




Here are some of my Great Grandma's paintings. She was also one of the original potters at Van Briggle Pottery. I think that is pretty cool. She was very talented. I would love to be able to create such beautiful paintings. (Ella also has the same birthday as her so maybe she will get her Great Great Grandma Emma's painting skills) 
The daisy painting is my absolute favorite! 
A painting of my gorgeous grandma





Last but not least I have to brag about my Dad's amazing sculpting skills. He is so gifted. It's unbelievable. 






I am just in awe at how beautiful art work is. I could stare at them for hours. The talent that flows from some people is absolutely breath taking. I feel so lucky that I grew up so involved in the arts. I can not wait for Ella to begin exploring the arts! 














Thursday, May 29, 2014

32 years of love...


Today is my amazing parents 32nd anniversary. 
They are the definition of what a marriage should be. They respect and care for each other so much. 
It is absolutely something I will strive for in my own marriage everyday. 
Growing up, I never ever saw my parents fight. [no really...ever...]
In their 32 years of marriage, they have never stopped doing thoughtful and caring things for each other. I feel truly lucky to have had such amazing role models to show me what love is. Their love for each other is something that not everyone finds. It is absolutely beautiful.  They inspire me to be a better wife and have shown me the joy of marriage. 
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. 
I am beyond blessed to have you as my parents.








Wednesday, April 30, 2014

For my daughter...

As a parent, watching your child grow is like getting to relive childhood again.
 I always want to protect her but I know there are so many
 moments in life that are going to shape who she is. 
My mission in life into raise her to be the best version of herself. 

 I have always been the kind of person who has to learn things the hard way.
 I don't know why I but I always have to figure things out on my own and make a lot of mistakes while doing it. I have learned a lot of "lessons" in this thing we call life. 
I hope I can use them to help me be a better parent. 
I have been reflecting a lot lately on what I want my daughter to know about life and I decided to write down a few things I have realized. 

•First and foremost, LOVE YOURSELF! 
As a young women it is so important to love who you are inside and out. 
Everyone is different so embrace who you are and everything God blessed you with.
 Be confident with your self and it will radiate out of you. 

•Be kind. 
There is a lot of nasty in this world. 
Be a kind person always, even to those who don't display the actions back. 

•Stand up for what you believe. 
People will always try to tell you what to feel and what to think.
 Don't let them influence you. Self doubt is such a poison to life.
 Be your own person and stay true to yourself. 
A lot of the "mistakes" I have made in my life are because I just sat back and
 watched as everyone else told me what to think and how to feel. 
Don't be a passenger in your life, take charge of where you want your life to go.
 Be the best version of YOU! 

•There are no limits to what you can achieve.
 When someone tells you that you can't do something, prove them wrong. 
The opportunities in life are endless. 
Take advantage of them to become who ever you want to be.

•Life goes on. 
Mistakes happen, it is how we learn. Take the good from it and leave behind the bad. 
There will always be new lessons to learn from. Don't let your past dictate your future.
 Take this day and use it in a positive way to become who you want to become. 
There will be heartbreaks from boys, fights with girls (lots of them) 
and tears to cry but they don't last forever. 
Remember that life is a journey and that the times that seem the hardest 
are what make you strong.

•Only allow people in your life who are positive. 
Life is too short to have people around who don't have your best interest at heart. 
You are in charge of who is in your life. Be around the people that make you a better person. 

•Last but not least, always remember your Mommy loves you. 
No matter what. I will always be your number 1 fan and biggest supporter. 


I am sure there are so many more points to write but these a just a few that I wish I could tell the younger version of myself. Life is beautiful. Being a parent really is such a gift. I look at my daughter in awe at the innocence and excitement for life that she has. There is a careful curiosity in the way that she views everything. It is so beautiful seeing her blossom daily into her own beautiful person. I feel very lucky to get to be her Mom. 



{{for this child I have prayed & The Lord has granted me the desires of my heart}}




Saturday, April 19, 2014

The Easter Bunny came to the Cooper House...

Oh my goodness... the Easter bunny came after Ella fell asleep. I can't wait for Ella to wake up and see everything!!! Being a parent is the best! 



I also did a few little crafts to send instead of cards! They turned out pretty darn cute! 




Xoxo
Shannon 


Pre Easter Photoshoot


Happy 3rd Easter to my Beautiful Ella Grace! This Easter I am so thankful for the many blessings that The Lord has blessed my family and my self. 
{{too many blessings to count}}




God is so great. Remember the true meaning of Easter [[He is Risen]]. Many blessings to all of you. Happy Easter! 

Xoxo 
Shannon 





Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Slouchy hats... Oh how I love you...

Slouchy hats... Where have you been all my life...!?!? Obviously not on my head [[rude]] and now it is all I wear! I am obsessed!!!! I found super cute patterns online and just decided to try it out! Check them out :) 



^^slouchy hats, red lipstick & duckface selfies <3^^

So obviously I think you all need to jump on the band wagon and get your own slouchy hat to rock!!! Love them!!!!! They are now up in Cherry Lane Bowtique!!! Yay!!!!

Xoxo
Shannon


Sinful homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Well there is no secret that is are not guilt free but oh man are they delicious. [& sooo super easy] I was trying to find a reciepe with ingredients I had in my pantry already, so I just kind of played Betty Crocker and came up with these yummy bars! 

Here's the recipe for my Sinful Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars:

1 1/2 stick softened butter
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla 
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

In a food processor, combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips until it forms a thick consistency and can be spread. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Spread the peanut butter mixture in a foil lined pan (the size of the pan depends on how much peanut butter to chocolate ratio you want) I used an 8x8 pan. Pour the melted chocolate on top and cool in the fridge for 3 hours. Then cut and enjoy!