The Festive Farmhouse | Lifestyle

This day, this house, this family - all things I’ll never forget. I have to preface this post with the story of how this session and my friendship with Alli even came about. It’s a true testament to the GOOD that can come from social media, with a little bit of God’s handiwork at play, too.

One weekend, en route from Dallas to Austin, I geo-tagged a photo on Instagram with Waco as my location as I passed through town, not thinking much of it. Not 5 minutes later I got a message from Alli, introducing herself, asking me if I was local to Waco and saying she needed some lifestyle shots for her blog (her super successful, nationally featured blog, no less). The crazy part? She said, “No joke, I told my husband I wanted some really big and bright images. And also, my family and I have a deep connection with the stars, so I feel like it was meant to be.” Um, I’D SAY SO! I was stunned.

The afternoon I spent at The Festive Farmhouse was a dream. Her home is absolutely beautiful, but her family, even more so. While we waited for her husband to go get her boys from school so we could finish up with some family photos, we sat and talked about everything from what inspires us and how we got to where we are, to the really hard parts about being a creative entrepreneur and feeling lost. Alli had all the right words to share with me about not trying to fit into a certain box or meet the expectations of what this industry demands - I can forge my own path and do things my own way.

I left Alli’s house feeling uplifted, inspired, and with a smile plastered across my face because I could not get over how amazing God is for bringing us together, working through her to say all the very things I needed to hear that day, and for making us feel like we had been friends all along. The gorgeous scenery didn’t hurt, either. Alli sent me home a different way because she wanted me to see an old historic church - she thought it might make for good sunset photos. She was not wrong. I stood out there just thanking God for writing my story the way that He has, and excited for whatever the future holds.

Alli understands the small business grind, and has worked her tail off to grow hers to what it is today. If you need some gift ideas, check out her Festive Farmhouse Collection! I know she’d be grateful for the support. Thank you for having me out, Alli! Can’t wait to come visit again soon!

This shed is actually an old Model T garage that’s been on their land for decades - so cool!