~ exquisite ~

...the dress, the updo and the bold red lip!

Happy weekend lovlies!  Hope you have a great one.

~ Ciao


...image via bienenkiste

~ details: bright chairs ~

Nothing like some brightly colored chairs to take your table decor to a whole other level...

So fabulous with the neutral and gold tabletop decor.  Just loving those chairs right now...and that cute little blue chicken!

~ Ciao


...image via going to the chapel

~ magnificent mousse ~

If I had to choose between salty and sweet...I will almost always choose salty.  Oh yes, give me some french fries, potato chips, peanuts and I am a happy, happy girl.  However, there are a couple of sweets that I can rarely pass up...one being chocolate mousse!  The light as air fluff (as I call it) is so yummy that I just can't resist.  And although I would have a small wedding cake, I definitely would be serving up some of these on my dessert table as well... 

The perfect bite size treat...don't you think?  Just an option for you that is not only pretty, but delicious too.  Are you drooling yet?  I am!

~ Ciao

...image via the lovely and a.maz.ing blog cannelle et vanille

~ you are seated at... ~

I am sure a lot of you have seen this before...but it's just so great that I had to post anyway.  Now this is the out of the box thinking that I love!  A whimsical way to seat your guests...

I love the originality here - the way the names are listed on the board with different fonts.

And what a great way to assign tables - no numbers here!  Just dragonflies...

Goldfish...

Frogs...

Unicorns...

And lions, rabbits, butterflies - oh my!  What table would you wish to be seated at?  Me...any would be great...but I really love the stately lion and the frog.

~ Ciao

...photography by gia canali

~ who says ~

...you can't wear a sequin wedding dress?

...or sequin shoes for that matter?

Can't you just picture the dress at an old hollywood themed wedding?  Oh, it would be so glamorous.  As for the shoes...any bride can get away with a little bling on her feet! 

P.S. - The sequin shoes are called Carly by Kate Spade and are still available...although in a limited selection of sizes.

~ Ciao

...photography by david shields & gia canali

~ tuesday thought: honeymoon set ~

Since my brain is still recovering from vacay mode...and with 12 days of very little sleep...I am gonna cheat a little on today's thought!  But that doesn't mean my thought for today is any less special - I'd say it's just easy.  So here it is:  buy an already packed suitcase...

Like this amazing white suitcase by Lanvin that comes with a pareo, a tote and pom-pom embellished raffia flip flops! 

See easy.  Throw in some SPF and swimsuit and off you go!  Honestly, does it get any easier than that?

~ Ciao

...image via net-a-porter

~ feathered cape ~

Pretty, pretty, pretty please...

...can I have this cape and veil to wear when I get married? 

~ Ciao


...photography david shields

~ flowers of the week: 4.26.10 ~

Well, I think you all know by now that I love a casual bouqet...but, if I had to choose a little more formal style, I think this just might be it!

I am swooning over the colors here!  With just a couple hints of green from the leaves, I think this is stunning!  And I am so happy to say that the a.maz.ing designer of this bouquet, A. Hana Design, is in my neck of the woods - San Francisco. 

~ Ciao

...images via a. hana design

~ dainty details ~

I am loving the dainty little branches, leaves and flowers on this cake...

So sweet.  Happy weekend!

~ Ciao

...photography millie holloman

~ beach grass + moss ~

As I mentioned last week in my ~ swamp thing ~ post on luna and chloe (my other blog), I love the moss that hangs from the trees in Florida.  And with being at the beach yesterday and seeing the grass...I knew the combo would be very cool!  So you could imagine my surprise when I found this picture yesterday with the jar on the left filled with both (granted it's not the tree hanging moss, but it is very similar)...

What a great combination the two make!  And I love that it pulls in green as opposed to blue, which is always used with beach weddings.  Simple, sophistication is what I would call this combo...especially when used as centerpieces.  The moss in the jar on the right would be perfect for a woodland, rustic wedding when combined with some other elements...twigs, mushrooms, etc...  And the jars can be found just about anywhere...Target is where I got mine.  And after the wedding the jars are great to have on hand!  I have filled mine with everything from sangria, cookies, utensils, soap...really anything!

~ Ciao


...image ethan ollie found via forget me knot weddings, via frenchie & flea

~ who says... ~

...you can't paint a heart on the side of the building with your initials in it?

Pretty fabulous!

~ Ciao


...image via going to the chapel

~ tuesday thought: starry night ~

I am in love with the inside of this tent...

Not only are the chandeliers spectacular...but the stars are making me swoon!  Love, love, love.  Wouldn't this be a great idea to do inside your tent?  Granted this picture is pretty glam, but no matter what the theme or style of your reception this idea would work.  And if stars aren't your thing...then choose something that is (this is where you can get really creative).  Yet, here is your Tuesday Thought...even if you aren't having a tent wedding...why not string up some stars over your reception location?  String them between trees, or from poles over the dance floor to add just a little something special!  And one last thing...how dreamy would they be if you attached them to fishing line a couple inches apart (which makes them look like they are floating) and created a backdrop for your photobooth...just an extra little thought for you today.

~ Ciao


...photography bonnie tsang

~ flowers of the week: 4.19.10 ~

So pretty in pink...

Loving the sprays and the burlap!  Perfect for the casual, outdoor bride...or bridesmaids.  Happy Monday.

~ Ciao


...image via style me pretty

~ in the jar ~

Sometimes simple is stunning and special...

How perfect are these jars filled with different items?  Rope for a nautical wedding, starfish for a beach wedding and river rocks for a country wedding are simple centerpieces or decor!  What I love about this is the many ways that it can be done - pinecones for a wedding in the hills, colored leaves for a fall wedding...you get the idea.  And since you chose your location because it was a place you loved, why not use some of the surroundings in your decor...making it all the more personal and special.

And since I am at a variety of beaches this week...why not fill an empty water bottle with some white Florida sand from each to take home with me?  I can put them in a pretty jars and place them on the windowsill in my bathroom as a reminder of my trip.  Should have started this a long time ago, and I would have sand from beaches in California all the way to Croatia.  I guess it's never to late to start!  My point, items like these can be incorporated into your wedding.  How cool would it be to use sand from all the beaches you have been to with your man into your wedding?  Taking the starfish and sand jar for example, fill the jar with sand from a particular beach and then you could use the beach name for the table...point reyes, sanddollar, palm beach, horseshoe bay...such pretty names, don't you think?  Or rocks from your favorite river, rope from the ports you have docked in...  Or you can top your favors with some rope, a starfish, a river rock, a pinecone or some fall leaves!  All little details that make it extra special.  Hope you all have a Happy Weekend!  I'm off to the beach to collect some sand.  See you Monday.

~ Ciao


...photography michael graydon

~ on the wall ~

I am adoring this photo display...

Such a sweet way to display photos at your wedding...but wouldn't it be just as sweet after the wedding at your home?  Especially with your names!

~ Ciao

...image via style me pretty

~ who says... ~

...you can't have a surfboard at your wedding?

Especially one with your names and wedding date on it!  Love the personal detail!  I am also adoring the simplicity of the lace tied to sticks below.  So easy to make, and great for any location!  But what gets me is how pretty are they blowing in the breeze.  Love when there is movement...

And if you remember, last week I had posted a boat with lace sails(which you can see here), well you could image how thrilled I was to find these pictures last night!  Lace by the water - absolutely!

P.S. -  I am on my way to Florida today, to see my new little nephew for the first time.  I will try and post everyday...but it is vacation!  Anyhow, don't be surprised if you see more beachy type of posts in the next week or so...I'm sure I will have lots of inspiration!

~ Ciao


...image via hatch creative studio

~ tuesday thought: custom photobooth ~

OMG - this is so adorable...I am just dying! How fun would it be to have this photobooth at your wedding?

A couple of 2x4's, some plywood, vintage wallpaper and pictures, and a couple of empty frames and you're on your way to a custom, made by you (or with the help of some friends) photobooth!  Another thought would be to use fabric to cover your plywood.  Or you could paint it.  How about painting a scene on it?  You could make one and then change the front by tacking fabric over.  However, I really love the vintage wall paper...but I could see pinning things on to it too...like flowers, hearts, notes from guests...  All just thoughts, but the possibilities are endless!  And I just love, love, love possibilities!

~ Ciao

...image via red photo co.

~ in the cards ~

I will tell you right now, that I want playing cards at my wedding as one (I have a couple in mind) of my favors!  Hey, I'm a Texas Hold Em' and a Progressive Rummy playing girl.  And I have to say these are some of the cutest I have seen...

I am sure you have seen stationer Eunice's wedding in Martha Stewart.  She is the creator of Hello! Lucky, and colloborated with textile artist, Joel Dewberry, to design these personal cards.  Don't you love how whimsy they are?  Just like her entire wedding, which you can see here.  And with the help of my brother, who is an amazing artist, I think I could create some wonderful, very personal cards as well!  I am including the picture below (as it is a great diagram) so you can see how the box is made.

And they still have some cards left that they are selling on their website...so click on over and pick some up.  Maybe you will be dealt a winning hand!


~ Ciao


...images via hello! lucky and martha stewart

~ flowers of the week: 4.12.10 ~

I think this might just be the prettiest pink bouquet I have ever seen...

Pomegranate is the perfect shade for adding some depth to the more traditional pink shade.  And if I am correct, I believe the bottom flowers with the hint of green are bougainvillea!  It's funny that people don't use them more often in arrangements.  Granted, they have thorns...but so do roses!  And if you like the flowers, then check out the cake...

Love, love, love the pomegranate on top!

~ Ciao


...image via style me pretty

~ perfect pancake party ~

Happy Friday lovelies!  So if you have been following my blog for awhile now, you might remember that I was once married.  At the time I lived in a small town in Iowa (long story), and since everyone was coming from afar for the wedding and having to stay in a hotel, I decided that the morning after the wedding that I'd host a big breakfast at my house for all of the out of town guests!  I wanted to thank them for all coming to take part in my big day, and send them off with a full belly!  I think back now and ask myself:  "What were you thinking asking 50+ people to the house the following morning?"  But I have to tell you...it really was one of the best things I did!  It was so fun to have everyone together to talk about the wedding and details...things that I am sure I would have never heard about if it wasn't for the breakfast.  So you can imagine when I saw this pancake breakfast photo shoot I was head over heels in love...

Granted my day after breakfast did have some decorations...like flowers from the wedding, but what fun it would be to actually have a theme and decorate for this event!  And these decorations are so sweet in my book.

Nothing to over done here.  Simple flowers, fun colors and retro touches...all under a tree (you know how I feel about being under a tree after yesterdays post), in a park is the perfect way to thank your guests!  And how adorable are these flags in the mini pancakes...

I love the fun touches of the syrup dispenser with the pink lid!

And nothing like a pink retro radio to add to the decor.

A variety of flavored syrups, shows the attention to the details that was put into this breakfast.

Super cute, don't you think?  Granted you don't have to have all the guests (or 50+ like me).  You could have just the bridal party, and a couple of other important family members!  And if you love the idea, but don't want another task added to your list...see if a family member or one of your bridesmaids would be up to the task of setting it up (note - not paying for it).  I know that if I was ever asked, I would say:  "Absolutely!" 

P.S. - If you would like to see more pictures of this pancake breakfast click here! 

~ Ciao

...images via design*sponge

~ location, location ~

My perfect spot to exchange vows?  Outside, under a tree...

With benches, a fabulous mirror and lanterns hanging overhead, yes please!  Of course, I would need some flowers and a couple of other details, but in terms of location - perfection!  Where is your perfect spot to exchange vows?

~ Ciao

...image via charleston weddings magazine

~ whatcha thinking? ~

The famous question that probably everyone has asked at least once in their life!   Well here is your way to find out...

Thought bubbles...at least that's what I like to call them.  And I am loving them right now!

What is so great about these particular bubbles is that you purchase the PDF file for $1.00, which is then e-mailed to you within 24 hours and allows you to print as many as you like!  See where I am going with this?  How fun would it be to have each of your guests fill them in for you?  Oh...how sweet, cheeky, fun, thoughtful or hysterical it could be, depending on your guests!

But if the task of printing, cutting and assembling vast quantities is too daunting for you, how about creating a dozen or so to use in a photo booth?  Or for your engagement session?  And where do you find these wonderful little creations, you ask?  Goldylocks on Etsy...so click on over and make a purchase.  It could be the best $1 you ever spent, or at least the funniest!

P.S. - They have mustaches too!

~ Ciao

...images via goldylocks, found via Holly at decor8

~ TENTastic ~

Okay, so I know some of the lights are out and the perfectionist in me was saying:  "you can't post this picture, the lights aren't perfect."  But what is perfect is the overall look of this tent...

I love the lights strung on the top and outside.  And I really love how you can see the panels through the tent..they're beckoning me to come and take a closer look, because I really am dying to see what it looks like on the inside!  So if you are having a tent wedding, and it fits in your budget...why not add pretty panels of material to the inside?  It doesn't have to be on all sides, you could do two or just the side behind the head table and it would add a pretty backdrop versus the plain white tent walls.  I would look for bulk, discounted material for this type of project to get the best bang for your buck!  And go on, string some lights on the outside too...I only ask one thing...please just make sure all the lights work!

~ Ciao

...photography chris tubbs

~ who says... ~

...you can't have lace sails?

Because I think this is pretty fabulous for pictures.  I know, I am really outside of the box on this one.  But just think...if your location is by a lake (most lakes have boats)...you could ask permission to borrow a boat to have photos taken on!  Hey, no sailing abilities needed..it can be docked.  And for those of you that know someone with a boat, swap out the sail for some lace or other fabric that fits your theme.  Or buy some sailcloth and make your own sail with your initials, your wedding date or "just married" on it.  And if it is more of a row kinda boat, it would still make for some great pictures...just hang a sign off the back of it.  This would be a cute idea for engagement photos too! 

~ Ciao

...photography amanda pratt

~ enjoy cupcakes ~

I am in love with Enjoy's Cupcake shop!  Have a look-see inside...

Grab a treat and a seat...

... and of course, above all else...ENJOY!  And if the store itself isn't fabulous enough, then you must check out their airstream trailer that they can bring to the location of your event...

So totally and uterrably adorable!  All of a sudden I want aqua, yellow and white to be my wedding colors, and I'm not even engaged!  And I would definitely have this little trailer at my wedding - L-O-V-E!

One of each please...

They can stop by my house anytime!  My address is...

~ Ciao

...photography by the amazing jose villa for enjoy cupcakes

~ tuesday thought: the lemonade stand ~

Now this is my kind of lemonade stand...

I featured this look used in a different way some time ago, which you can see here.  I loved it then, and I love it now!  What I love about it is that you can use this setup for just about anything - cake and cupcakes, coffee, wine, appetizers, a gift table, favors, or seating cards.  I am a lots of options kinda girl - and there are definitely lots of options here!  Another way I would use these fabulous barrels is lining the walk to the alter at an outdoor wedding or to the tent - line up 2, 3 or 4 on each side and then you can place cute little details atop each barrel - like flowers in mason jars, urns, pots, buckets or old wine bottles and add some candles or other decor.  The result -  you have a statement making entrance that welcomes guests.  Just a thought! 

~ Ciao

...image via country girl wedding

flowers of the week ~ 4.5.10 ~

After last weeks button bouquet, I thought I would soften things up this week...and boy is this arrangement doing it for me today...

Natural, loose, soft and the colors - stunning.  I have to tell you that I am a casual, loose, flowing bouquet kinda girl...there - I admit it!  But, that doesn't mean I can't appreciate and love more formal and elegant styles too!  So don't fear my more formal gals, because I will share (as I hope I have done in the past) a variety of flower styles.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend.  I can tell you that this was the best Easter ever, as my sister made me an Auntie of an almost 10lb baby boy on Friday night!  I couldn't think of a more perfect Easter present - oh yes, I am proud!  Happy Monday. 

~ Ciao


...image via wedding style guide