• welcome, ya’ll come on in

    my name is paige & i'm so glad you're here

    "simple thoughts" is my online, personal journal. within these pages i share, not only my business portfolio, but glimpses into the daily life of my family.
    i consider myself blessed beyond measure to share life with dan and our four girls, savannah, madison, emily & caroline.
    my life is not perfect, yet i humbly open the pages of my story & invite you to c'mon in and stay a while.

    i love caffeine free diet coke, monograms, anthropologie, running, golden retrievers and above all else, Jesus.

    photography is my passion. it's my attempt to capture the simple moments of life that can easily be passed over. after receiving requests and encouragement from friends and family, i launched my own business, paige knudsen photography, in the fall of 2011. i'm a natural light photographer serving the atlanta area.

    recently another passion found it's way into my heart. Noonday Collection . noonday offers accessories handmade by vulnerable groups of people around the world. our aim is to style you while creating a pathway out of poverty for artisans and their families through dignified sustainable income. having been widowed at the age of 30, i feel a kindred connection with many of these women. you can be a voice for the oppressed too!

the birthday girl, pearls and a giveaway!!

5.2.13
earlier this spring my dear friend sibi came and brought The Pearl Event to atlanta. it was a beautiful spring weekend & i knew the Lord was going to bless many women through sibi’s outpouring of her heart…and that’s exactly what occurred.  i shared about that day here & encourage you to read how she blew me away and truly was the hands and feet of jesus in my life that day. she left a powerful impression on my heart that will not be forgotten.
sibi truly has a gift. not only is she truly one of the funniest women i’ve ever met, her passion to encourage women is like none other. she speaks HOPE. she will BLESS you. she LONGS to tell you how much YOU are loved by your father in heaven. she genuinely LOVES each of the women the lord brings in to her life.
the next Pearl Event, the triple strand, will be may 17th in nashville & sibi would love to bless TWO ladies with 2 seats (which includes lunch) each !! please leave a comment ( make sure to include your email please) and i’ll post the  two winners tuesday!!
“this event is for every type of
woman. No matter the background or christian denomination. It isn’t connected
to a specific church or ministry. We want to reach all hearts. The broken and hurting.
The ones who feel God has forgotten about them. The ones who feel disappointed by God
or who are angry with Him. Or who have walked away from Him. As well as the ones who know Him and love
Him. We want those women to grow even closer to the Lord after this event.
I’ve changed a lot of things since last year. You experienced some of that in Atlanta. God is doing something special
just for the Nashville ladies and I am so grateful for that.
So even those who attended last year would get something new out of it this year.”
~sibi~
event link here
facebook page here
pearls and grace blog here
~~~~

 

happy happy birthday my friend!!

you are the skeeter to my minnie & the ethel to my lucy. i love you like crazy & thank the lord for YOU in my life!!!!

may you twirl and bake cookies & be loved on all day long!!

i love you dearly!!

Filed in: celebrations | friendship | giveaway | the pearl event
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May 2, 2013 - 7:44 am

Kerri - oh paige, this is the best giveaway “EVAH”! (that is me using my excited Boston accent!). I wish I lived closer so I could enter the giveaway! May God bless the two ladies who win and I hope they enjoy their day meeting the beautiful Sibi!

May 2, 2013 - 8:01 am

Katie - Paige and Sibi!! What an incredible giveaway. Both of you bless me richly through your pure love of Christ! Would so love to come to the triple strand-thank you for hosting this giveaway!

May 2, 2013 - 8:01 am

Deborah - I was there last year. It was truly beautiful. What a great giveaway. Thanks for the opportunity.

May 2, 2013 - 8:12 am

Deanna Hunt - Sounds awesome!!

May 2, 2013 - 8:49 am

Courtney - Oh my word!!! What a blessing this would be!!!

May 2, 2013 - 10:06 am

Mary - I would so love to come to this event and bring 3 friends. Thanks for the opportunity. :)

May 2, 2013 - 10:20 am

Christine - Oh what a great giveaway! I would LOVE the opportunity to go!

May 2, 2013 - 12:46 pm

Mimi - Oh, this looks like so much fun! I wish I could go and participate but I’ll be squishing my toes in sand.

May 2, 2013 - 1:20 pm

carrie - what a blessing she sounds like! i’d love to be able to meet her! and that is my anniversary weekend too~ what a special treat! thanks so much for the chance to participate.

May 2, 2013 - 1:37 pm

chrissi - you two are amazing. your love of the word inspires. your skills with a camera blow me away and your blogs often find me in tears. you are pure joy♥

May 2, 2013 - 2:15 pm

Karen - I have been following Pearls and Grace since you wrote about Sibi back in March. I even spent a very late night reading all of her past posts – I just couldn’t stop reading. What a gem she is…you both are! I would be so honored to attend one of her Pearl Events. And I guess I would have to move fast to find tickets to Nashville (I’m a Colorodo girl:) But I would definitely make it happen! Thanks for continuing to share these wonderful gifts with us!

May 2, 2013 - 2:37 pm

tara - love all these pictures and your kind words about your dear friend.
also, you’re looking spiffy in your polka-dot dress. did you ever tell me on IG where Free People is located in ATL? Atlantic Station?

seeing your girl tomorrow!

May 2, 2013 - 3:03 pm

Veronica - OH!! How wonderful it sounds like that would be a special time for anyone who wins. What a wonderful prize that would be!!

May 2, 2013 - 3:09 pm

Sarah - Ohhhh! I would love to go!

May 2, 2013 - 3:11 pm

Cecilia - Oh Paige what a blessing that would be to win tickets to the event. I attended last year with my sister and one of my best friends. My friend was SAVED the last day of the event. (We stopped you & your daughter at the Country Fair and showed you the bracelet she purchased to tell her turth). We were all touched by each lady, but she had a true connection with Sibi. We would love to attend again this year, but with funds being tight we want make it….. unless we can win the tickets. Thank you & Sibi so much for offering us a change to win.
~HUGS~
Cecilia & Laura

May 2, 2013 - 4:27 pm

Sibi - Thank you so much for your beautiful words Paige! This post means so much to me.
I loved every minute of my time with you and the women there in Atlanta! What a gift it all was to my soul!! Thank you for capturing the day so beautifully. I treasure these pictures. You just have no idea…..

So grateful to God for you and your family and our friendship. I laugh and cry and twirl all in one sitting with you on the other line! You inspire so many with your gift to REACH others through your words and your blog and the numerous ways you connect with women each day. You are such a blessing!!

Thank you again for hosting this giveaway!! Love you big time. xoxo

May 2, 2013 - 5:07 pm

Meredith - Thank you SO much Paige (and Sibi) for such an opportunity as this! I hope both of you know how, even from afar, you have ministered to me, through your blogs! my family and I will be moving out of the country in june, to place where God has called us, but where we don’t know anyone and have no idea what “church” will look like. Needless to say, we are asking God to do BIG things and use our family in ways to advance and impact HIS Kingdom. So, a trip to Nashville to hear Sibi speak and be a part of a Pearl event (my mom’s name is Pearl!) would be a huge blessing. thanks again and happy birthday Sibi!

May 2, 2013 - 5:51 pm

Jamie - I was at the one last year and had to leave early. Sad face because I know there was more for me that day. Would love to win. Whoever wins God himself has placed there. Excited…

May 2, 2013 - 9:43 pm

Brooke - I live close to Nashville and would love to take my mom as a late Mother’s Day outing! :)

May 2, 2013 - 11:33 pm

Joy G. - Sounds like a wonderful event!

May 2, 2013 - 11:39 pm

Keisha McCreary - What a blessing this would be!

May 3, 2013 - 7:15 am

carol jane - What a beautiful event. I would love to go. What gorgeous pearls too!

May 3, 2013 - 4:38 pm

Tracey H. - Oh how fun and meaningful does this sound like, what a blessed event!! Would love to win a ticket and would give it away to a friend whose funds are low, but love of God is high and I’ll join her:0) Thanks for the chance!!!

May 6, 2013 - 8:58 am

Rachel R Adams - Paige ~ So sweet! Love our sweet friend Sibi and her heart for women. It is just so big! What a sweet give away! Can’t wait to see who wins and to meet that precious woman at the event! Love & hugs ~ Rachel Adams

May 6, 2013 - 1:31 pm

Vickie - I am blessed every time I read your blog. I would love to attend this event. Vickie

May 6, 2013 - 3:25 pm

Lorie vital - I would love to go back – I was at the first one where I got to meet 3 of my favorite bloggers and be awesomely blessed!

forever friends {casey & lauren}

5.1.13

casey & lauren are the closest of friends…and they’re  absolutely gorgeous aren’t they?! photographing teenage girls is always a treat for me. this session was an all time favorite.

sweet lauren recently lost her daddy. you’ll notice her tattoo in a few of these images. my prayer is these girls continue to hold their friendship tight and guard it in the upcoming years even if college separates them in miles. you girls are beautiful & it was my honor to document your friendship. xo

Filed in: friendship | photography | photoshoot | senior photos | teenagers
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May 1, 2013 - 7:31 am

Kelley - Your blog posts are like therapy for me. They are so refreshing. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

May 1, 2013 - 8:41 am

Roxanne - Triple love these Paige! Always so good and so real. Teens are my fave to photograph as well :) Nice to see your sweet face in there too!

May 1, 2013 - 8:44 am

carrie - this is the one! this is the shoot that i saw you doing when i drove down the road and waved like a loon. these are so, so very good. perfect really. the darker haired girl looks like she has a contagious laugh! what a sweet friendship you were able to capture so perfectly. i know they (and their mama’s) will treasure these always. i will pray for lauren’s peace and comfort as she grieves the passing of her father. so sad! he was so young.

you have a gift. i’m so glad you are using it well! :)

May 1, 2013 - 10:29 am

Jennifer - are you ever not surrounded by gorgeous people, including yourself. these girls are runway model stunning! and that long tan dress on the brunette…goodnessgracious fabulous! excellent job woman!

May 1, 2013 - 10:29 am

D'Nese - These photos are AMAZING! I can see why it’s been one of your favorite sessions. Both of these girls are beyond beautiful. I’m so sorry that she lost her father. My heart goes out to her and her family. He was so very young. The date tattoo is beautiful and you captured it in such a beautiful way. Anyway- thank you for sharing. What a lovely, lovely session.

May 1, 2013 - 4:30 pm

Cheryl - Paige,

The photographs are stunning. You have captured their spirit so beautifully. My heart stopped when I read about Lauren’s father. She is so fragile. Life is a tricky thing. I will keep her in my prayers.
~Cheryl

May 2, 2013 - 2:45 pm

tara - how beautiful…the girls and their friendship.
saying prayers for the sweet one who recently lost her dad….

thankfulness & maria of dreamy whites

4.29.13

friday afternoon i plopped down outside on my old metal chaise lounge that dan’s mom gave to me. it wants to be a big huge double comfy one from pottery barn that overlooks an infinity pool which overlooks the emerald coast. but friday afternoon there was a gentle breeze blowing & nary a cloud in the sky so that was good enough.  the neighbors indoor dog that lives outdoors and barks incessantly was barking the birds were chirping a singsong melody and i was even having a good hair day. weird, i know.

it was honestly the first time in about 26 days , no lie, where i had a moment to think through the past month. the lord has been good. i don’t mean to sound all ‘hey. everything’s perfect. i’ll call god good when things are all good’ but it was  just a realization & pondering of recent blessings, protection and answered prayers. scripture says we should count our blessings & name them one by one. it’s not being greedy or confident in ourselves, but rather giving glory back to him because let’s face it, ALL good things are from him. and he delights in us. he delights when are thankful.

earlier in the month i was so wound up worrying about a medical situation. dan’s in a stressful time of the year with his job, although i think it’s always stressful. the girls are all super busy and sweet brinkley is getting older. i probably over-commited to a few things & have felt spread a little thin. but the lord’s been faithful.with clean bills of health, safe travels and job opportunities i just wanted to spend some time in prayer and thank him.

my time with friends has been a humongous blessing.

one of the big treats for me recently was meeting maria, dreamy whites rockstar maria.   she flew in to atlanta to visit family & called and asked if we could get together. yes ma’am. i’ll move a mountain to make that happen!  i’m hoping she makes the trek to the southeast a little more frequently as i just love her. we met midway, despite a complete monsoon & sat together at alon’s ( a quaint french style bakery) and talked for hours & hours. then we braved said monsoon to head over to anthropologie. naturally.

it’s always so funny to meet up with a friend from the blog world. it’s like a blind date yet you already know loads about each other. just haven’t hung out in person. and it’s always risky to meet someone from another part of the country and freak them out with my southern accent. she of course was everything you’d think she’d be. stunning. fabulous hair. wearing her frye boots. of course. my girlfriend texted me during lunch ( another huge fan of maria’s) & asked if she smelled like lavender. hilarious!  yes. the maria. here in atlanta. oh happy day. (suffice to say, my good hair day was not that day. i think she always has good hair days don’t you?)

maria i think you’re fabulous & i am so tickled we were able to spend some time together!! next time we’re bringing out our big girl cameras and shooting together! deal!

following images are all maria’s & items are all available through her shop!

Filed in: friendship
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April 29, 2013 - 9:25 pm

Jill Palumbo - You two are lucky to meet each other!

April 29, 2013 - 10:51 pm

Carol Cook - I had to laugh when you mentioned the southern accent. I have followed you for years and never once thought about what you might sound like. If I saw you in California, where you would fit right in, I would be surprised to hear a southern accent, which by the way I love to listen to.

April 29, 2013 - 11:33 pm

Julie M. - Sweet!

: )

Julie M.

April 30, 2013 - 7:38 am

Christy - I have a blog crush on her, in love with her shop

April 30, 2013 - 8:10 am

Jen@thecottagenest - It’s so fun that you two got to meet up! It sounds like a lovely way to spend a day!

April 30, 2013 - 8:27 am

Kerri - so glad you got to meet Maria! Georgia is on my must travel list!

April 30, 2013 - 9:09 am

Flower Patch Farmgirl - You girls!! So pretty! I love you both. So glad you got to have a fun day together. Shopping and gabbing. Nothing bettah! Oh, and food. :)

April 30, 2013 - 9:29 am

Ella - Wow! Amazing that you got to meet Maria. I’m sure she felt the same about meeting you.
Thank you for the reminder to appreciate the good in our lives.

May 13, 2013 - 9:19 pm

Peggy - Oh how exciting! Two of my favorite people together!! I am so happy for you! Thank you so very much for sharing with us. Ah and Atlanta… I had such big plans for Atlanta this summer but alas they are for naught as my dear sweet hubby is going to be in Quantico instead. That’s okay because I know one of these days I’ll get back to Georgia (especially love Savannah, oh that city makes me swoon!) But my first born gets to experience his first Georgia summer… in fact he gets an all expense paid trip courtesy of Uncle Sam and the US Army. (yes that was my news… no South Africa trip after all. his dream position came available and he jumped.)

Have a wonderful week, my dear!

once meant for evil~ a story of redemption

4.26.13

one of our noonday ambassadors( amanda cobb), who’s also a talented photographer posted took this image. ( photo links to her site). when i saw this baby girls face it completely took my breath away. isn’t she absolutely gorgeous?  then after i regained my composure, i realized she was playing dress up in our Noonday pieces, made in ethiopia.

macey was adopted from ethiopia.

many people travel to the entoto mountains ( in ethiopia)  as they believe the waters there have magical powers and will cure their HIV &  AIDS. many of these people have been abandoned and rejected by their families and are alone & broken when they arrive. several years ago a program was developed to help the people on Entoto Mountain establish a consistent source of income, one of the most dire needs facing their survival. once an HIV person is on the appropriate drugs, the HIV isn’t even detected in their blood. so while these people came looking for a miracle through water, they’re actually able to receive the real treatment through medication.

one of the ways they can afford their medication is through sustainable income such as through crafting jewelry.

well. another beautiful chapter in this story is what is actually used to make the jewelry.

farmers supply the bead makers with bullets & artillery found on their land following war conflicts.

bullets. casings. artillery.

oh yes. what was meant for harm is now used to make beautiful jewelry.

“Remnants of former weapons of conflict are now upcycled pieces of redemption”

slam dunk! i love it when the Lord does something like that. only the Lord will turn what others mean for destruction and make it into something beautiful. something redeeming. if you want to be blown away by a family’s betrayal & then unimaginable forgiveness, read the story joseph …same thing. ( genesis 41-50).

thank you amanda for allowing me to share macey’s image. she symbolizes beauty from ashes. her gorgeous face symbolizes hope.  her forever family will be forever blessed indeed.

so… a few of the gorgeous pieces made in ethiopia that macey is modeling include :

1. super popular bethe rope necklace

2. chimes necklace

3. metallic orb bib necklace

4. tangled beads bracelet

5. tessa bracelet

6. very versatile bracelet

~~~

genesis 50.20

“As for you, you meant evil against me,

but God meant it for good,

to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Filed in: adoption | noonday
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April 26, 2013 - 11:17 am

Melissa - Wow – what a touching story. I keep seeing all your Noonday stuff and love what it stands for and how it helps otheres. I am debating trying to be a rep or whatever the proper term is but not sure how good of a saleslady I would be.

April 26, 2013 - 3:34 pm

Tracey H. - Loved this picture of Macey, thanks for sharing the amazing story of Noonday:)

April 27, 2013 - 10:32 am

Janice S - Paige, Does the Chimes Necklace feel heavy or light around the neck? It is so beautiful!!!

we painted a room & i may move in there myself…

4.24.13

when savannah was 14 we painted her room the color of her choice. bubble gum pink & green. naturally. well within a couple years she had outgrown that look and color combo. but as any of you know, painting a room and a bed and changing furniture etc never seemed to make it to the top of the perpetual “list”. then it was senior year & while the room was no longer “her” to spend time and money on that while we were purchasing things for her new life at college wasn’t very practical. plus , all three other sisters would love a room makeover too.

well the pink and all it’s bubble gum-ness glory was starting to bother even me. i promised savannah months ago i’d get it painted. when i found out jessica would be coming to town i knew i couldn’t let her sleep in a room of bubble gum pink.

so…dan & i had a couple days over spring break where we knocked it out. i was at the gym one morning & he calls and asked me to meet him over at lowe’s “to pick out a color”…well, friends i may not always make speedy quick decisions but in less than 5 minutes i chose valspar silverleaf and told mr. lowes to whip it up. no time to bring home swatches. no time to see how the color looks at different times of day. nope. just pick a grey and let’s roll. grabbed a can of primer for “drastic color change” and we were out the door.

we also had a ginormous piece of furniture that we needed to empty & kick to the curb. so here are a few little iphone shots to give you the before….

while this is definitely no fabulous with every detail complete magazine worthy DIY, it’s just proof what a couple days and a simple gallon of paint can do to change a space. the walls are a little too minimalist even for me. i’m hoping to have savannah paint a gigantic canvas duo of “it is well” , add some fun anthro nobs to the closet & add something fabulous ( yet to be determined) over the bed…..but for now, the new sheets & bedding and clean freshness of the room is so peaceful and inviting to me. maybe when savannah comes home this summer ( for only a very short visit before she leaves. for the entire summer) she’ll love it so much she’ll stay. forever.

i kid. i kid.

anyway….ta~da….

in case you’re wondering~

pillow on the bed~ jeanne d’arc living

chair~ marshalls find

framed map of kosovo~ savannah’s trip at christmas

gold lanterns~ on sale now at target ( forgot to add the candles)

mercury glass lamp~ marshalls

Filed in: decorating | DIY
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April 24, 2013 - 8:02 am

Lindsey - I LOVE this! The next time you’re in Birmingham, I’m going to need you to come and put your touch on my room. No worries…the walls are already painted, I just need the finishing touches. :)

April 24, 2013 - 8:18 am

LLH Designs - No swatches, to test strips, no over thinking?!?! I am UBER impressed! Sounds like a great way to get things done. Of course, if my husband were suddenly in the mood to paint a room, I’m jump all over that and skip al the over thinking, too! What a sweetheart he is to help you. Nothing like having a guest stay with you to get things done! xoxo!

April 24, 2013 - 8:34 am

Kelly - We have a similar bubble gum pink room, chosen by a 12 year old, and abandoned for a room on our lower level at 15. Now our guest room, I have been planning to paint a silvery blue, and I think you just did the choosing for me. Thanks! Love these pictures!

April 24, 2013 - 8:46 am

Nicole - Wow… it looks great!

:-)

April 24, 2013 - 8:53 am

Jennifer - love love love!
we have about 3 rooms…including the one that kennedy will take over that needs painting in the next few months! it’s hard to pick a grey!
i would love to do all white like you…but how oh how do you keep it all clean?!?!

April 24, 2013 - 9:08 am

courtney defeo - its looks so great! i’d move in there. love it.

April 24, 2013 - 9:43 am

Ella - Wow!
The room looks beautiful. It is amazing how the whole look changed even though the bed & dresser are the same. I love those lanterns on the dresser & the silver ball lamp. I am very impressed that you chose the color so quickly. I am terrible at making small decisions where all options are really good.
Are your other girls asking for room makeovers now?

April 24, 2013 - 10:02 am

Heather - It’s amazing what paint can do. It looks so much more relaxing now with the quieter color. I re-painted my daughters bright pink room over last spring too. Your photos are always gorgeous!

April 24, 2013 - 11:05 am

Alecia - Soooo pretty!!! I LOVE it…nicely done. Looks very cozy & relaxing.

April 24, 2013 - 11:35 am

Jill Harris - Absolutely LOVE it! Our tastes must be really similar because your pics always keep me on track with where I want to go in our home. Working on getting there. Thanks for more inspiration!

April 24, 2013 - 11:41 am

Melissa - That room looks amazing! What a fun surprise for Savannah when she returns and a perfect guest room

April 24, 2013 - 12:15 pm

laurie overholtzer - Seriously lovely, Paige. I love your subtle but striking design ideas. A+

April 24, 2013 - 2:39 pm

Judy - you did a good job picking out a paint color on the run…it took me 2 years to decide on a color for my sun room!

my little 8 year old granddaughter’s room is hot pink/pale pink striped walls…her mom took a victoria’s secret bag to the paint store and had the colors custom mixed…it really is pretty but she’s already tired of it and wants something “beachy”. i’ve told her we’ll give her a room re-do for her 10th birthday (she’ll be 9 next month)…

i’m sure savannah will love her room…but it might not be enough to get to her stay “forever”! (LOL)

April 24, 2013 - 4:43 pm

Peggy - OH Paige, it is wonderful! What a perfect peaceful respite! I just see a vase filled with fresh flowers, lit candles, and a happy rendition of “it is well.” The perfect room for relaxing. Oh I am sure Savannah will be pleased!

Were you pleased with the primer? Can you say parrot green and deep dark chocolate striped walls? With a single small north facing window? Yes you have the right image! Two rooms are painted in this combo… the eldest who is once again planning on heading off for the military (instead of college… that is a discussion for another time, ha ha!

OH what was the sheen of the paint you painted over? Thanks a ton!

April 24, 2013 - 5:38 pm

Lemonade Makin' Mama - Completely soothing in every way. When I come, I get to stay in that room right? :)

April 25, 2013 - 12:36 am

Mimi - Love the color and how serene the room looks!

April 25, 2013 - 9:37 am

Lindsay - Love, love the new room! So pretty and so soothing!

April 25, 2013 - 5:00 pm

tracey - Paige what a beautiful transformation!!! I love it!!! Hope you are having a lovely day ~

xo

T

April 25, 2013 - 5:04 pm

Patty - beaUtiful color & change! it’s very similar to Benjamin moore heather grey-a color I used on my daughter’s rm… great minds, right? ;)

April 25, 2013 - 5:50 pm

Lori H - Oh, Paige. That room is so serene and beautiful, it makes me want to take a nap on that lovely bed :)

April 25, 2013 - 7:29 pm

Janet Lawson - My youngest had her room done in a raspberry color when she was younger..I swear it glowed at night..LOL..Your wall color is nice and the room is soothing to look at..It all looks beautiful..Have a wonderful weekend..