She listlessly walked down the weather oak staircase, her eyes slowly perusing the pictures on the wall. She stopped at the one in the silver and blue frame, the captures of their wedding day. Oh how iconic her dress was. Decked in the most delicate lace. The biggest satin bow she had ever seen, fluffed up so big that it looked like two heavenly clouds attached to her waist. And next to her, as handsome as ever, in a navy blue bow tie and matching pleated cummerbund, Grandpa. The way they locked eyes in the photo made it appear as if they felt they were the only two in the room that night. Their smiles beamed. They were finally together again.

Her eyes continued down the length of the staircase. She had almost reached the end of the banister when she saw them. All four. So intentionally hung. In the the most brilliant golden frames she’d had ever seen. As if they were glowing. Four intricately illustrated silhouettes of her, her sister and their two grandchildren. Gazing upon the details she remembered how little they all once were. And seeing them all together, left a pang in her heart so deep, it was if a tiny inconspicuous mouse had taken a needle and quickly, but gentle, poke a small hole inside it.

“How loved we were” she thought to herself, gently tracing the profile of her own silhouette, closing her eyes, getting lost of memories long gone.

She listlessly walked down the weathered oak staircase, her eyes slowly perusing the pictures on the wall. She stopped at the one in the silver and blue frame, the captures of their wedding day. Oh how iconic her dress was. Decked in the most delicate lace. The biggest satin bow she had ever seen, fluffed up so big that it looked like two heavenly clouds attached to her waist. And next to her, as handsome as ever, in a navy blue bow tie and matching pleated cummerbund, Grandpa. The way they locked eyes in the photo made it appear as if they felt they were the only two in the room that night. Their smiles beamed. They were finally together again.

Her eyes continued down the length of the staircase passed photos of beach outings and family christmases, first birthdays and graduations. She had almost reached the end of the banister when she saw them. All four. So intentionally hung. In the the most brilliant golden frames she’d had ever seen. As if they were glowing. Four intricately illustrated silhouettes of her, her sister and their two grandchildren. Gazing upon the details she remembered how little they all once were. And seeing them all together, left a pang in her heart so deep, it was as if a tiny inconspicuous mouse had taken a needle and quickly, but gently, poked a small hole inside it.

“How loved we were” she thought to herself, gently tracing the profile of her own silhouette, closing her eyes, getting lost in memories long gone.

// order your silhouette fine art prints available in the shop.

the door is ajar so avoiding a creek will be easy. You peer into the room lit up with cool blue from the nightlight. Glancing around the room you see books askew, the dollhouse left in mid play. The Hatch is playing a therapeutic almost ethereal river-brook melody.

As you creep deeper into the room you turn and see the wooden silhouette above her wall. How big she’s gotten. How grown up she now is. For a second it pains you. A perfect frozen moment that you can never get back. Beginning to lose yourself in memories long gone, you’re startled back to the present by a deep long sigh. You look down towards the culprit. Black hair all tousled and tangled. One leg in another leg out. Long legs too. Not chunky and knobby like they once were. Her eyes still deep in dreamland.

“There still time” you say quickly in your head. And crawl into her bed, cradling her, as she tenses and then collapses back into your arms…”

// silhouette wood heirlooms available in the shop.

Then your silhouette arrives.

Suddenly, you realize it’s them. It’s your little girl’s curl that never left after they were born, the one that everyone always said it looked like a little Shirley temple. Or those long lashes that were passed down from great grandpa Joe, the ones that always made him look so kind and warm and inviting. And the button nose, the one that big brother had, that everyone would “boop” and would make him laugh hysterically. Oh that laugh. She’ll have it too.

Those little detailed carved out of the shadows are not just illustrations. They are what makes them… them. And it’s my job, our job, to make sure you have a place where you can go back and remember those details forever. Because mama, time is a thief and tomorrow they’ll be just a little bit older.

It’s more that a memory. It’s more than hundreds of details captured. It’s actually your little one. Your perfect little one. That you prayed for. Cared more. Wanted.

With our D&D Original Watercolor Silhouette Portrait, you will receive a charming watercolor-inspired silhouette illustration of your child, loved one, or pet, in the colors and style of your choice. This single silhouette is perfect for a nursery or any other room in your home. Be sure to select your desired wash or wreath from the drop-down menu and if you wish to have an art print made.

When you order a silhouette illustration, you have 6 months to upload the perfect photo. If you don’t have the perfect side profile, we can try our best and our illustrators can work their magic and pull the silhouette out of photo.

If you have a retired wash or wreath from a previous order that you’d like to match with this silhouette portrait, just let us know in the order notes and we’ll do our best to match it.

It’s our job as your silhouette artist to create a keepsake that reminds you of the best part of motherhood. The parts that make you yearn for time to standstill. 

I am trying with all my heart and soul right now to be positive and present during this season as we figure out our new normal, but it hasn’t been all newborn snuggles and coos. It’s been anxious. And loud. And heavy and a bit burdensome (especially with feeling tied to a feeding clock). Please don’t judge me for my lack of balance and my failing mothering heart, but not every new mom especially of two, can sit blissfully, baby in arms on the bed breastfeeding as their toddler just plays quietly in the corner. That is not my life. I feel like my toddler hates me right now and my husband is worried about my lack of sleep and seriously snippy responses. Would I like my life to be as this beautiful photo? @nicoleleever you captured a fairytale moment. But the reality is — this isn’t my life. My life is just a heavy overwhelming mess. I’m often more quiet these days, probably because I’m so tired, but moreso because I’m in my head, prayer and hoping for this season to transition and be done. •

Did you by any chance feel this way too? Did you look on with envy as other new moms blissfully entered this season with grace and patience and understanding? I shared more on stories but maybe I’m going about it all wrong… or maybe I’m just the only one talking about it right now. ︎

Next Monday these pretty little things finally release to the public! Our Keepsake Bangles are such a beautiful one-of-a-kind piece especially with our mother of pearl silhouette charms. Scroll right to see the darling little details. On Friday I’ll be announcing the limited 24hrs promotion that’ll go with your order on Monday. It’ll only last 24hrs or until we sell out so be ready to place your order come 9amPST. ︎ ALSO we WERE able to get ROSE GOLD AND GOLD restocked for Monday BUT those will be the first to go, so please keep that in mind. •

If you have any questions, comments, yay excitement, let me know! Comment here or email into hello@dapperdarling.com. You can DM it just may take a little longer for a response. But I’m working through them! // tell me. Of ALL the Keepsakes Jewelry pieces we have, which calls to you the most? I was for a long time very partial to my Tiny Charms Keepsake Necklace (seriously the tiny charms are so stinking cute! But! With the bangles now having the tiny charms on them I MAY be totally in love with them moreso. ) How about you?

Do you still dream? Do you still wonder in the things you thought as a kid are still possible? What did you want to be when you were younger and felt no hesitations? Where did you want to live? What did you see yourself doing everyday? Maybe you aren’t living that dream anymore because you don’t think it’s possible so you stop believing. I don’t know why it takes God revealing through our children to show us that we can in fact still dream.

•A dream I’ve had for awhile now is finally starting to come true. A few weeks ago, AJ and I decided to start a business together that relates to marriage. I’ve been praying a lot about it for months and God finally moved our hearts into a place where we both feel we can build something that will encourage and support strong, beautiful, raw and real healthy marriages. It’s an answered prayer for me because I have been wanting to go back into business with AJ for a few years now and it finally feels like the time is right (yes even with the addition of Gwen, Gods timing is ALWAYS perfect). Knowing this is starting makes me feel like a kid dreaming again. It’s wildly thrilling and brings a lot of joy to my heart. I’m glad I kept trying to believe in this dream. Let’s be a little more like our children and dream big and call on God to help us to keep believing.