the tree farmer

Our team has been super busy shooting for Christmas–lots of long hours, lots of hauling stuff, lots of patience, and lots of coffee. But, if I do say so myself, I think it’s going to be really beautiful. {You’ll have to wait and see!} Through this whole process, my mind keeps going back to last year’s Christmas shoots, and the primary thought in my mind is “wow, I’m so much warmer this year!” Here’s a look at a few videos from last year. Corbyn Tyson wrote & art directed, I styled the shoots {with the help of Miss Sarah, all her Grandpa’s vintage awesomeness, thrift stores, and Anthropologie}, Colin Gregory directed, shot, & edited, and Scott Zibell, & Matt Youngblood also braved the cold and shot the beautiful footage. {Thanks to Williams Tree Farm for letting us use their place to shoot!} {–also where we had our wedding!}

I love, love, love styling for shoots. My favorite part is to see everything after the guys work their movie magic. There is truly a behind-the-scenes intense art of color correcting and editing. Of course, they make it look so easy! But don’t be fooled. Hours and hours go into getting the tone and color jussssst right. You can watch the videos below. {The talented Nathan Eiesland of ScatteredTrees scored the short films}.

http://www.vimeo.com/9292735

http://www.vimeo.com/9292952

http://www.vimeo.com/9293131

After all this everygreeny-snowy-wintery action, are you feeling like a brisk walk through a snowy tree farm is in order? Obviously. Well, if you can’t get to your local tree farm {or maybe you’re a million miles from snow and Knotty Pines}, here’s my recipe for bringing the outdoors in:

Mix one part PINE: After honeymooning in Estes Park, Colorado, I absolutely cannot get enough of the smell of pine. Not the awful, air-freshener-y pine, but the crisp clean smell of pine. Like you’re really there. These are 2 of my favorites:

On the left is Thymes Frasier Fur. It’s absolutely indulgent. For those of you in my area, I buy mine at Poska. {I’m burning one now!} For my long-distance friends, you can find them online at places like this. The other one I love is the Balsam from C.O. Bigelow. YUM!

…With 1 part SNOW: For some snow-like delight in your place {without the melty mess}, try making a cost-effective white decoration! I discovered this foof {the top photo below} at my most favorite blog, jones design company. If you click here, Emily gives a full tutorial about how to make it. The second photo is from The Nesting Place, where Emily became inspired to create the foof. The Nester, ever-helpful, posted the wreath tutorial here. I made the wreath version for a $10 & under girls gift exchange last night and it was a hit! It was definitely a labor of love, but well worth it.

So, I’m in for an amazing weekend… I’m off to sushi tonight with some of the best company I can imagine, then D and I are headed into Chicago to celebrate my birthday {which is on Christmas Eve} early! Have a great weekend… I’ll see you back on Monday. In the meantime, and happy watching/smelling/hot gluing! xo, linds