Whimsy & Bright

Today we bring you a beautiful card from the Chambers' family!

Who: Chad, Kelly, Cooper (3) and Hadley (7 months)

Location: Hensel Park, Bryan, Texas

Props: Coordinating glitter Christmas ornaments and baby crib

Clothes: Gap, Dillards, Express, Old Navy, Children’s Place, The Trendy Baby, Gracious May

Designer: Whimsy and Style Photography

Photographer: Chantal Bergeron of Whimsy and Style Photography

Favorite things: I love the bright colors used in this card and the addition of the coordinating Christmas ornaments. I LOVE the picture with the ornaments over the kids' heads..so FUN! The photographer also really captured the time of day these were taken!

Blog: Catching up with Cooper and Hadley


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Katy's Thoughts: Know what I love? I love that I just discovered TWO new places to shop for the kids?! How adorable are those last two shops? If you didn't click on these links, let me just help you out by posting them again. Dear The Trendy Baby and Gracious May, be expecting an online order from this Merry Momma soon! I also love the whimsical feel of this shoot! Love those adorable ornaments over those precious kiddos heads!

Cindy's Thoughts:  I am in love with the lighting in the pictures!  It doesn't hurt that the people in the pictures are beautiful and they have on cute clothing, too! I like the two sided card, I like the individual pictures of the kiddos.  I like the BRIGHT CHEERY clothing.  This is just a great, fun card!


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How can you recreate this card? Find a clear space of land, wait for that gorgeous sun to set, dress your family up in stylish clothes, add some fun accessories and done.

 
Get PINspired:

1. We love the idea of a sweet family all snuggled up on a blanket, or siblings all in a row, and we think the tagline "the weather outside is frightful" is perfect for a shoot like this. (Unless you're in Texas like us, and then you'd have to ship in snow!)
2. Want to add a fun touch with ornaments? Click here, here, and here. 
3. Having a baby and thinking of a Christmas announcement? Then you have to see this, this, and THIS!!
4. And - if you are willing to travel (and we think that you should) then click here!

We just want to take a quick second and say thanks again! We are having so much fun spreading the merry and hope you are loving it too! We have posts lined up through October, but would love more submissions! Check out our submissions page so you can be next!!!

A Carnival Christmas....

**EDITED**

Wow! We are overwhelmed with the number of people that are seeing this post via Pinterest. WELCOME to Your Merry Mailbox! We hope you love what you see and we invite you to scroll on down to that "follow" button on the right panel to ensure that you get the latest updates, tips, and Pinspiration to spread the merry!!! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Who: Merry Momma K, Merry Husband R, and Merry Littles R, E and baby bump L (who at the time we referred as MAK)

Location: Local traveling carnival at the oh-so-merry Post Oak Mall in College Station, Tx

Props: The amazing backdrop was enough prop for us! For a few shots we did have the kids eating some popcorn, but none of those shots made the card

Clothes:
Katy - Old Navy Maternity Tunic (Check out their latest here); Old Navy Maternity Jeggings (If it was socially acceptable I would still wear these!)
Ryan - Combination of Ralph Lauren, Kohls, and Old Navy
Radley - Next Direct Sweater (Similar here); Children's Place Jeans, Bow Tie (Can't remember the shop but tons on Etsy); Ralph Lauren Sports Shirt
Emersyn - Next Direct Yellow Jacket - Similar in big girls here (that I purchased in June to wear for this card because I am crazy); Old Navy Skinny Jeans

Comments: At some point during the Summer of 2011 I got it in my head that our Christmas card pic HAD to be at the local carnival. Because, well, I'm crazy.  So - I called up the good 'ol information line at the Post Oak Mall and asked them when the carnival would be back in town and as the stars sometimes align, the carnival was going to be there just when we wanted to take pics! I absolutely adore how these turned out and get tons of compliments on this card still. If you are thinking of taking pics at a fair/carnival (and I highly suggest that you do) just be patient with your kiddos. LOTS and lots of distractions are out there - we paused the shoot to let Rad ride a couple of rides and those pics ended up being some of my absolute favorite! (Check out the bottom right of the card)

If you notice, Radley makes a few "costume" changes throughout. Don't be afraid to go with something different than planned - the night was warmer than we expected and he just wasn't that comfortable - so we let him change clothes and he was happy and we got some great pics from it!

Designer: Sarah Burns of Butterfly Chaser Photography

Photographer: Sarah Burns of Butterfly Chaser Photography

Favorite Thing: I love that my baby bump was peaking through - this was our first card as a family of FIVE!

Blog: The Queen of the Kings


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Katy's Thoughts: Clearly I love it. :) Everything is just merry and bright!!! 

Cindy's Thoughts:  I love every single thing about this card.  I love the carnival scene.  I love the clothing - Emmy's jacket and Rad's bow tie.  I love that the front is one picture and the back has a collage of pics.  BUT, what I love most is the glow Katy has!  And I think it rubbed off on Ryan, Radley and Emmy!  The entire family looks "for reals" happy and well...they could be anywhere in any clothing and the card would be amazing!  Pregnancy GLOW = key to amazing pics! (I wouldn't recommend you getting preggers just to have a great Christmas card, though...babies are awesome and all, but they are a lifetime commitment! ;))

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How can you recreate this card? Go to a carnival/fair, take some pics, and ENJOY! :)  Play it up with props like cotton candy, popcorn, funnel cake, colorful clothes, and big smiles! The great thing is your clothes don't have to "match" which we find is what stresses people out the most about a photo shoot. Just play with it and let your personality shine! Seriously, you won't regret it!!!

Get PINspired:

1. We can't narrow down our favorite pins just check out our entire Carnival and Fairs board (and you may recognize some faces)!
2. Our picks for styling your darling daughter for a carnival card: Matilda Jane, Whimsy and Style, Persnickety, and shoes from Joyfolie. We also think that this is pretty darn cute stuff, too! And don't forget about her head! Favorite shops include ChicPretties, Cozette Couture, Bella Bowz and Sewz, and LoveCrushBowtique (seriously, check out their headdresses - Merry Momma K may be ordering one for this year's card!).
3.  To make your little man look delightful, try some bowties, adorable hats like this, this  (can't beat that price!!!) and this; and you can't forget his feet! We love Next Direct for shoes and a good 'ol fashioned pair of Chucks is always a win!

What other ideas do you have! Feel free to share in comments.

And...

We have a BIG surprise coming up this week, you may want to hit that "follow" button on the right for a chance at something fun.... 

Oh My Merry Myers...

Before we introduce today's card, we (the Merry Mommas) want to say THANK YOU! We have gotten such a fantastic response from everyone! Friends, family and even a few "strangers" (big WELCOME to you!!) This is turning out to be even more fun than we anticipated and we hope that you stick around, leave us your comments, send us emails, follow the blog, submit your cards, like us on Facebook and even wander over to Pinterest to see what is inspiring us! 

Most of all - keep spreading the Merry! 

Today's family is sweet friends of both of ours. Emily (the Mom) has an amazing eye for interior design which carries over to an impeccable style for her and her girls (and maybe even Geoff). :) We know that you will love her card as much as we do!

Who: Geoff, Emily, Molly (8) and Ally (6)

Location: Historic home in Bryan, Texas

Props: None

Clothes:

Girls - Target

Emily - borrowed from sis-in-law (which is the best kind of shopping...FREE!)

Geoff - Patagonia

Comments: I wanted something totally different from the year before so we went with bold and bright and LOVE it!

Designer: Nichole Quick of Quick Design Company

Photographer: Karen Winn at My Sandbox Photos

Favorite Thing: All the comments we received about how this was the happiest card in the mail!

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Katy's Thoughts: Love that all those fun colors work seamlessly together! 

Cindy's Thoughts: This card screams HAPPY and I love that!  The bright, bold, fun colors will definitely make your mailbox MERRY!

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How could you recreate this card? The key to recreating this card is to LOVE color. Don't they pull it off so well? Everything blends so nicely - that's the key. Don't do too many patterns, but don't be afraid to play around. My favorite trick is to lay out all of our clothes - including shoes - and group them as if in a picture (otherwise referred to as 'ghost photography" by my dear husband) - then snap some pics with my phone for a better visual of how it looks together. 

Getting PINspired: If you are thinking of recreating this, check out these pins: 

1. This is awesome. Drive around town and see if you find any fun walls, loading docks, or buildings as a background. Makes a great statement!
2. It doesn't hurt that this family is gorgeous...it also doesn't hurt that these clothes are amazing together. Fun and cheerful and I never would have paired the navy and purple.
3. I'm not sure if my family is cool enough to pull this look off, but I am sure yours is!!! :)

What's your favorite thing about this card? Leave your comments below!

A Merry Merry Merry Munson Christmas

**EDITED**

Wow! We are overwhelmed with the number of people that are seeing this post via Pinterest. WELCOME to Your Merry Mailbox! We hope you love what you see and we invite you to scroll on down to that "follow" button on the right panel to ensure that you get the latest updates, tips, and Pinspiration to spread the merry!!! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

 

Who:  Josh (Dad), Cindy (Mom), Caroline (4), Annaliese (3) and Millicent (1)

Location: Dilapidated barn in downtown Bryan, Texas

Props: None

Clothes: Banana Republic, Dillard's, Old Navy, Target, Gap, Next Direct and Garnet Hill

Comments: I really wanted to go away from the traditional reds/greens or autumn colors that most Christmas cards seem to have (mine included)!  When I saw the darling sweater that Annaliese has on in the Garnet Hill catalog, I was SOLD on pink and grey.   

Designer: Sarah Giles Burns of Butterfly Chaser Photography (printed at Overnight Prints)

Photographer: Sarah Giles Burns of Butterfly Chaser Photography

Favorite Thing: I love the big girls playing with each other while Josh watches them.  I also love that we did a two sided card that allows for a lifestyle shoot that shows off my family's personality, yet also allows for a true family portrait. 

Blog: Hot Mess Munsons

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Katy's Thoughts: I love that Caroline and Annaliese are snuggled close nose to nose like sweet sisters should be. I LOVE that this showcases how awesome a picture can be even if no one is looking at the camera. 

Cindy's Thoughts: See above! :)

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How could you recreate this card? There are lots of ways to recreate this card - use a dilapidated (that's such a fun word) barn or use the words MERRY MERRY MERRY or any holiday words really!

Getting PINspired: If you are thinking of recreating this, check out these pins: 

1. Part of my inspiration came from this card.   
2. Here's a great example of a family in front of a dilapidated barn.
3. And here.
4. And here. 

What's your favorite thing about this card? Leave your comments below!

Special Delivery from the Kings

**EDITED**

Wow! We are overwhelmed with the number of people that are seeing this post via Pinterest. WELCOME to Your Merry Mailbox! We hope you love what you see and we invite you to scroll on down to that "follow" button on the right panel to ensure that you get the latest updates, tips, and Pinspiration to spread the merry!!! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Who: Ryan (Dad), Katy (Mom), Radley (5), Emersyn (2) and Landry (6 months)

Location: UPS Center in Bryan, Texas

Props: UPS truck, packages

Clothes: Target, Children's Place, Next Direct, Toms,  Old Navy

Comments: We did two versions of our Christmas card this year - both with a "delivery" theme as a nod to where Ryan spends most of his time these days. Sarah once again did more than a fantastic job bringing the idea to life! We had access to the UPS center on a Sunday and even lucked out that there was a truck full of packages to add to the look of the card.  I decided to use the colors of UPS with pops of aqua to give the card a cohesive look. I like that it adds to the non-traditional feel of the card while highlighting one of the traditional parts of this season!

Designer: Sarah Giles Burns of Butterfly Chaser Photography 

Photographer: Sarah Giles Burns of Butterfly Chaser Photography

Favorite Thing: My favorite thing was how well all the pieces fit together. From the UPS packages, the clothes, and the brown parchment envelopes in which they were mailed - I just LOVE them!!!

Blog: The Queen of the Kings

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Katy's Thoughts: Well, I clearly love it. :)

Cindy's Thoughts: I LOVE LOVE LOVE how personal this card is.  Most of us spend LOTS of hours at work and it is part of who we are and I love that Katy and her family embraced Ryan's job and all the cargo that comes with it!  And the kiddos are darling!

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How could you recreate this card? "Delivering joy" can be done by anyone - even if they aren't married to the best UPS man in town. ;) Tons of brown packages, or brightly colored presents, an old pick up truck with an adorably decorated tree in back and you would have a precious card ready to be delivered! 

Getting PINspired: If you are thinking of recreating this, check out these pins: 

1. This would be adorable with a family
2. Everyone needs a truck like this (or at least one to take pictures with)
3. Now just think about how you would dress your family in a scene like this

What's your favorite thing about this card? Leave your comments below!