Picture Perfect Palette: Fall on a Plate

Good morning, afternoon, evening, day to you my dears!  Goodness, I swear I start every single post with 'good morning' and I bet bunches of you don't look at my blog in the morning.  Hmmm, I think I need to come up with something cute and clever instead, no?

Anyhoo - so far this week I have covered Fall flowers, fashion, food, and shoes and sweets...now I'm moving onto color ;-)  Believe it or not, one of my favorite things.  Even though my fave color palette is white, cream and beige with a hint of golden glam, doesn't mean I can't appreciate lots of other colors! 

Color palettes are all over blog land, usually in the form of inspiration boards, and I tend not to do inspiration boards, as there are a couple of lovely ladies that are AMAZING at putting color palette's together in inspiration boards.  Some of my faves are Chris at Postcards and Pretties, Kate at Magnolia and Rouge and Kathryn at Snippet and Ink.  I find I will leave the inspiration boards up to these lovelies to bring the beauty week in and week out when it comes to color ;-)  However, I do like to post a picture of a palette that I am loving, as I have done bunches of times in the past! 

And you know what?  I usually do a different kind of post called Picture Perfect Palette...but I think from now on I am going to use the name for this type of post, as it is just soooo fitting, don't you think?  So I will have to come up with something else for the other type of post now.  Gotta love when I change my mind...not confusing at all...sorry!

And while I am not one for the usual color palettes for the seasons, I did run across this Fall picture, and fell in LOVE...something I do on a weekly, if not daily, basis around here, hehe...

I guess what I love is the richness and earthiness of the shades...not to mention the mushrooms!  What's on the plate alone is a fabulous palette...

How earthy and pretty is the ink with the sienna and goldenrod colors?  And ink color works just as gorgeously with the orange coral and bisque colors too.  So if all five colors are too much for you - there are a couple of color palettes within this one, that you might find one that works for you.  They sure do make a lovely Fall palette, no?

~ Ciao

...image via country home

Flowers of the Week: 10.17.11

Hi loves!  Happy Monday to you.  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  I can tell you I spent most of mine trying to get better.  I think I slept pretty much since Thursday...so sorry no post on Friday...I just had the flu hit me like a ton of bricks, and it really knocked me off my feet.  However, I am feeling better now, and I have lots of catch up to do today.  But I figured I would make this week - FALL WEEK.  So all my posts this week will be Fall inspired...which I thougth might be a little fun ;-)  Plus, I am really trying to get into the Fall mood...and I was hoping this might do the trick...we shall see!

And since it is Fall Week around here, I thought kicking off the 'Flowers of the Week' with this bouquet was most appropriate...

Oh so pretty wheat wrapped up with brown lace - doesn't get much more Fall than that!  You know what loves, I think I am heading out to pick up some wheat...as I just got a little idea for some decor for the shop next month.  See you back here in a bit with some Fall inspired LCW Style ;-)

~ Ciao

...photography by stephanie williams via jl designs

Color Crave Recreated: Earthy Green & Crisp White

Hi lovelies!  Happy Friday to you ;-)  And happy first day of Fall.

Yesterday I posted a Color Crave post that I just loved, and I was hoping that you did too.  However, that is only the first half of the new series ;-)  The second half is me showing you how you can recreate the Color Crave look...with any styling tips, ideas or thoughts I may have that might help!  No, this isn't an Inspiration to Creation post where I break it down and do it myself - this Color Crave Recreated post shows you how to put the look together from items found around the wonderful world wide web ;-)  Sounds fun, no?  Plus, this post is much easier on my pocketbook...and that my loves is always a good thing!

So are you ready?  Let's start with the appetizer area first...

Recreated...

I think the use of old cutting boards is fabulous!  They have the perfect look...so don't ever throw them away...just send them to me ;-)   Also, I have used the giant cutting board, that the older homes have, before to serve up cheese and appetizers...so those work just as well...and of course are free!

The table...

Recreated...

I have to say that I really am loving the placecard holders!  To make, like the ones above, I would use a piece of toothpick to hold a couple of the smaller heads/cloves together.  For the tub, you could always give it a spotted paint job.  Once the paint is dry, take it outside and hose it off, then let dry in the sun.  Repeat hosing it off and drying for a couple days to get a worn with a bit of rust look...you be the judge on the look you want ;-)  You could do this with the new tubs too which are a lot easier on the pocketbook than vintage ones ;-)  And don't forget the table number marker either loves (in the first picture with a 5 on it)...just grab some old handheld garden tools (or buy them) and write a number on the handle and place in tub...easy peasy!

And finally the wishes spot, as I'm calling it...

Recreated...

I have one recommendation in this area - make sure to weigh the watering can down with some rocks so the branches don't tip it over!  Also, I know I included a balance scale similar to the original picture, yet an old kitchen scale like this would work just as well, for a lot less...and just so you know, I REALLY want to buy it ;-)  Plus, one little detail that you might have missed (you can see it better in yesterday's bigger picture) is the white string wrapped around the branches...just adds a thoughtful extra touch I think!

Did you notice the common elements in each area?  Well of course the ornamental cabbage (love the color) and crisp white linens, but also in each area there was a vintage element (grain sieve and cutting boards in the first; a galvanized tub in the second; and, the watering cans in the third) that helped tie the overall look together from one area to the other. 

I have to add that if I knew that this is how I wanted to decorate for my wedding, I would be planting ornamental cabbages from seed or small plant in every pot I could find.  I would add some carrots and beets and other veggies too.

Really, this whole look can be created for not that much if you plan ahead and pick up a few key vintage elements.  Oh, and for the jars that hold the ornamental cabbage, I would just use jars from the kitchen like empty spaghetti sauce jars, olive jars, etc...simple and free ;-)  Ooh, don't you think this would be perfect for a rehearsal dinner too?  Yes, I LOVE this idea for a rehearsal dinner or even a bride and groom shower!

Hope you enjoyed this new series loves! Here is where to get your hands on the above items...

The Shopping List

1.  Large Antique Sieve, 2.  Antique Collection of Cutting Boards, 3.  Ornamental Cabbage - local nursery, 4.  White Bowls, 5.  Drinking Glasses, 6.  Galvanized Tub, 7.  Ornamental Cabbage - local nursery, 8.  Purple Garlic - specialty grocery store, 9.  Watering Can, 10.  Branches from your yard or here, 11. Ornamental Cabbage - local nursery and 12.  Vintage Scale

~ Ciao

...images via a magazine moment

Color Crave: Earthy Green & Crisp White

Good morning darlings!  I just can't seem to be getting enough of green and white these days!  Especially with a side of brown and a hint of purple.  Don't you find yourself craving one color one day, and another color on another day?  Or sometimes for weeks or even longer?  I do...and it seems like it changes on a daily or weekly basis for me.  It's like I am craving these colors...if that's possible ;-)   Hence the title of this post ;-)  And I have decided to start a new series...which I think you might like! 

Anyhoo, I think I am going to have to do a display at the Inspired Collective in earthy greens and crisp white soon...hmm, sounds like a good plan, no?  I really love the natural and rusticness of the details here...paired with the crisp white linens, it makes for a look that I ADORE...and what I would call naturally beautiful!   I love the simple display of appetizers...

A fabulously earthy centerpiece that looks like it was just plucked from the garden, and some DARLING placecard holders...

And a couple branches to have guests hang wishes from, or can be used for an escort area...

All in a clean and crisp palette that still has some warmth and rustic vintage touches.  This is me defined I think.  Oh add a bit of glam in there and then it is ;-)  Well at least for today...because I will probably change my mind tomorrow...hehe ;-)  Hey, you all know how I LOVE options! 

Okay...I am off for a bit to finish up editing and writing my Handcrafted post that is coming up soon!  So check back around 10 am, and I will have some purple and gold inspiration for you ;-)

~ Ciao

...images via a magazine moment

Flowers of the Week: 9.19.11

Good morning, good morning lovelies!  How was your weekend?  Lovely, I hope ;-) 

I got to puppy sit my favorite boy Gus this weekend.  He always keeps me on my toes with our hour long walks we took each day!  And I made my first trip to the farmers market to get apples on Sunday.  My brother and his wife take turns helping out one of his best friends Bobbie, who owns an orchard, at the market.  So not only do I get fresh apples, but I get to visit with my bother or his wife.  This Sunday my brother was working.  And yesterday since I had Gus, he made the trip with me as well.  He was definitely the hit in all his cuteness sitting on the back of the truck ;-)

However, while I planned on being super productive this weekend, I didn't have the opportunity to do anything!  Not good ;-(  Also, I am sorry for my little disappearance last Thursday and Friday.  At least I had a post scheduled for Friday, so that helped.  I was busy taking care of a couple things, and I know I PROMISED to have Luna and Chloe Handcrafted on Etsy up and running on Thursday, and do a post about it...I have decided to hold off on this for a couple more weeks. 

I am redoing my space at the Inspired Collective this Wednesday (which I will share with you on Thursday), and then I am going to start working on another design for the Grand Opening of the Inspired Collective on October 6th.  Some of the designs I am going to use for the grand opening, are ones that I have created for Luna and Chloe Handcrafted on Etsy, and I really want everything to be a surprise at the opening...so I have decided to hold off on showing you them and uploading them to Etsy.  Yet, maybe I will give you darlings a sneak peeks over the next couple of weeks ;-)

The other thing I said I was going to do was the Inspiration to Creation No.: 2 - which is all ready to go except for the posts...yet, I still haven't done them!  Aye, aye, aye - I will get working on those this week, and hopefully get them finished up to share with you soon.

Wow, am I rambling on or what?  I am sure you ready for the 'Flowers of the Week' already.  With Friday being the first day of fall, I really wanted to choose some fabulous fall flowers that are perfect for this time of year...when the leaves haven't started to turn yet.  These bridesmaids bouquets are just early fall perfection in my book.  And while a bouquet in shades of green and brown doesn't sound that pretty, let me tell you lovelies these bouquets are GORGEOUS.  Have a look-see...

Love, love, love and love.  Yep, I love them all ;-)  And for a better visual, here they all are together...

I adore the brown ribbon too, don't you?

So tell me loves...are you ready for Fall? 

~ Ciao

...images via style me pretty

Picture Perfect Palette No. 6

Good Morning lovelies.  Happy Earth Day!  In honor of Earth Day today, I thought I would choose a color palette that had lovely earth tones in it; while staying away from greens.  So I was focused more on the actual earth.  Soil to be exact.  I was inspired by the brown sand of the desert and the pinkish red soil found in Arizona...and I found a fabulous picture that incorporated these colors in a very pretty way...

And I know exactly why I chose this picture...it's 1:22 a.m. and this is where I really want to be!  However, I will be there soon enough...just after I finish typing this post ;-)  Yet, I only have myself to blame for waiting until so late to do this post.  It really is amazing how time slips by.  It seemed like it was just 5:30 pm and I was on my walk, and then 9:00 pm and I finishing up playing a couple games of cards with Aunt Millie, and then I had to jump in the shower and wash my hair, etc...  Now I understand why I always start working on these posts come Sunday - to have lots of time to put them together for you!

Anyhoo, I thought the above picture was so pretty, warm and welcoming...and of course makes a lovely palette for Earth Day today.  Of course from the inspiration picture a vintage style wedding is perfect for this palette.  One way to incorporate these colors into your event is in your desserts.  You betcha your buttons I said desserts!  Have a look-see at how fabulous these macarons work with this palette...

What I wouldn't give for a couple of those right now!  A sugar rush is just what I need ;-)  With a vintage style wedding and reception I would keep more with the browns and whites on the basics such as tablecloths, napkins, quilts, lace and doilies which would also bring in a variety of textures.  I would bring in the color in the details - suitcases, vintage books, table numbers, and macarons on the dessert table of course.  Picture frames filled with vintage fabrics that incorporate the palette would be wonderful details as well.  You could use smaller ones on the table for table numbers, and larger ones to pin escort cards too.

This palette also works for an outdoor, rustic/barn style as well...

I think if you took off the ribbon and added a bit of burlap instead it would look beautiful.  Granted the ribbon works, I would just prefer it a bit more rustic.  Arrangements like this on white linen tablecloths with a worn piece of wood running down the center of the table, or a burlap runner would look perfect.  Some antlers would be a wonderful element to add as well.  To bring in even more rustic details tie the napkins with some twine or rope and attach a place card if you'd like.  Also, it would be cute to adorn the chair backs of the bride and groom with some simple rope and bunting flags.  And I would love to see a cake on top of a wooden crate, wouldn't you?

And finally, this would be a gorgeous palette for a classic and elegant event with a bit of whimsy...

Brown linen tablecloths, leather bound menus, and pom pom flowers add warmth, richness and whimsy, and would be oh so pretty!  I would keep everything simple here - gorgeous glass vases in varying heigths with just one or two pom pom flowers in each would be elegant on long tables.  Lots of glass, and candles and touches of leather would add to the elegance.  Hmm, maybe strips of leather wrapped around the vases, or table numbers cut from leather...so many ways to incorporate pieces of leather here.  I could also see escort cards made of leather with your guest names in gorgeous calligraphy on them.  Oh yes, this palette would definitely work!

So my dears, what do you think of this palette for Earth Day?  As always, would love to hear your thoughts or if any visions flashed in your head ;-)  Stay tuned for another Easter wishes post coming up this afternoon.  Until then, be happy...it's Friday!

~ Ciao

...photography by lisa hubbard, and images via la boom, sunday suppers & domestifluff via postcards and pretties

Picture Perfect Palette No. 5

Hooray it's Friday!  That alone outta make you happy.  Well that is, if this Picture Perfect Palette (PPP) doesn't ;-)  This week's PPP was inspired by my dear friend Chris, of the a.maz.ing blog Postcards and Pretties.  You see, she has been inspiring me all week long with 'Picnic Week' on her blog!  Click right here to have a look-see at all the pretty. 

However, while I am so very ready for a picnic - the last couple of days here have felt more like Fall than Spring with the sun shining, but the air crisp and the breeze cold.  So while I have been transported to pretty warm locales on Chris' blog each day this week, my reality here is bundling up a little more to fight off the chill.  Hmm, I think I like being transported to warm and pretty better than reality!

Anyway, since picnic and Fall like weather are on my mind I decide to use that inspiration in this week's PPP.  I went through a handful of Chris' inspiration board to find one picture that I thought would make a perfect Fall picnic palette. Here is the picture I chose, with the palette...

A Fall picnic in the woods sure does create a pretty palette, no?  Lots of warm, rich browns and a pop of teal to add some color and interest.  Oh, and yes, I would die to have a vintage station wagon in that color..did you see the rims are the same colors as the car?  So fabulous!  What fun it would be to take on my antiquing expeditions.  I could find lots of fabulous things to fill it up with I'm sure.  Okay, enough about the station wagon and onto this post.

Well this is a no brainer thanks to the inspiration picture, but this color palette works perfectly for a rustic ranch, cabin or barn style wedding.  Yet, it doesn't have to be Fall to use these colors, a winter cabin wedding would look lovely too.  However, I am picturing a rustic (horse) ranch in the Fall.  And a great way to incorporate this color palette would be in some details...like wool blankets over hay bales for seating...

Or for your guests to wrap themselves up in for added warmth once the sun sets.  For a winter wedding I can picture these wool blankets on the escort table, dinner tables or even the dessert table.  Try picturing an invitation suite for a rustic ranch wedding in this palette...it would be so pretty with a horse or buck incorporated on it, would it not?   I would keep the table decor in the neutral tones, and burlap would work well for a rustic ranch style.  And keeping the table neutral would allow you to bring in pops of the teal in either the menu cards, napkins, favors at each seat, etc...  I imagine a table full of wood rounds, branches or bark elements, cotton on it's branches, and lots of candles everywhere.  Yes, it would look wonderful.

However, this palette looks fabulous for a classic and whimsy wedding style too...

Ahhh, pinwheels are so dreamy and fun...I don't know if I will ever tire of them!  For this style I would keep the table decor fairly plain and simple with everything pretty much in cream.  I would add some cream flowers with greenery of course, and pull the teal in as table numbers, or small pinwheels at each place with the guests name on it, or ribbon wrapped around the napkin...small light touches is all you need to keep it classic with a bit of whimsy.

And don't think for one minute that you can't use this color palette for a glamorous feel!  Just have a look-see at how lovely it could be...

Eeks!  Now I understand that you might not want to wear a colored wedding dress, however, this color would look stunning for bridesmaid dresses.  Or you could always do creamy or beige dresses with teal wraps or shoes.  To really make this palette glamorous stick with the beige, golden and teal colors...beige linens on the table, soft full creamy, maybe with a hint of pink, flower arrangements on the tables, golden accents is what is going to up the glamour here...so make sure to have lots of golden touches!  And the wedding cake would look amazing on a gold stand or with gold accents on it, don't you think?

And finally, it looks pretty fabulous for vintage wedding too...

A vintage 4-H inspired theme, like the one above, is pretty fun and fabulous with this palette!  I adore the Best Cake ribbon on their wedding cake.  So many fun ways to incorporate this palette into a vintage wedding...like that station wagon in the inspiration picture!

I find it so very interesting that sometimes you see a palette and you think...hmmm, I like it but, it's not too exciting, or I'm not sure how this palette would work for a specific venue/theme/style, etc...  Yet, once you start working with a palette it really starts to take a life of it's own.  At first, I liked this palette - not loved, liked...I really, really liked it for a rustic ranch style wedding.  However, after I started looking at images to work with that I have stored away, I found lots of different styles, and I really started to love the colors!  So my dears...tell me, do you like or love it?  And do you have a favorite style for this palette? 

Hope you enjoyed this PPP post today!  It's been a couple of weeks since my last one, and I so missed them.  I promise to try and not let that much time go by again.  Happy Friday my dears.  I have one more post coming up for you later today...so I will see you again soon.

P.S. - Thank you bunches Chris for the inspiration!

~ Ciao

...image (1) via postcards and pretties via country living, (2) photography by sarah maingot, (3) photography by thayer allyson gowdy via a. hana design, (4) via lolinif  and (5 & 6) photography by christine lim via ruffled

~ flowers of the week: 10.11.10 ~

Happy Monday my dears!  How about a beautiful fall bouquet to start off the week?  Well, have a look-see at this one...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, don't you think?

Did you all have a lovely weekend?  I sure do hope so.  Mine - was quite nice as I had an opportunity to work on my homemade project for Thursday, and I am working on putting together a photo shoot for a guest post that I am doing soon...so lots of creative fun this weekend for me!  Here's to a great week here at LCW.

~ Ciao

...image via diy bride

~ let them eat cake ~

Chocolate, hazelnut & meringue...really do I need to say more?

I am in LOVE with this cake!  The colors, the look, the stand it's in and I can only imagine how truly YUMMY it is...

Served with little jugs of milk - PERFECTION!

I can picture an entire dessert table designed around this cake...and I WANT it!!!  I think that I am just going to have to make this one.  You can find the recipe right here. 

~ Ciao

...images via my tartelette

~ flowers of the week: 8.16.10 ~

Happy Monday LCW readers!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  This week is just crazy busy...Monday night is Mr. Big's daughter's singing performance, Aunt Millie comes back from vacay on Tuesday...so of course I have to catch up, my mom comes in from Florida on Wednesday, we are having a dinner party at our house Thursday night, and Saturday night we are hosting the monthly poker tournament!  Whew, I am tired just thinking about it!!!  At this rate, it will be Fall before I know it.  Heck, it is already starting to feel like Fall around here.  So I thought to help get me in the mood, I would post a Fall inspired arrangement today...hope you like it...

I am loving the pops of turquoise in those berries!  Aren't they just gorgeous?  I wonder what a bouquet made up of those would look like?  Pretty spectacular I bet!  Yet...the browns, oranges, yellows, leaves and branches takes this arrangement right into Fall.  So I have one last question for you...are you ready for it? 

~ Ciao

...image via saipua

~ flowers of the week: 6.28.10 ~

I have total fallen for this bouquet...

I am just adoring the colors, texture and flowers of this bouquet...especially the sprigs poking out here and there!  So perfect for Fall, no?  And the warm, rich mocha velvet ribbon is just the perfect touch to finish it off with.  

~ Ciao

...image via 100 layer cake

~ butterflies + teardrops ~

I am swooning over this pretty butterfly garland...

I love the delicateness of it, the soft colors, and that there are four sets of wings on each one!  Couldn't you just picture them strung over or as a backdrop to the vow area.  After all, isn't that the place where two become one?  So corny, I know...but I love the whole idea of how this particular butterfly garland (over other ones I have seen) represent the union of two people.  Okay, I'll stop being corny now...which is funny cause I don't think I normally am!

So on a little more fun note...this teardrop garland (which reminds me of balloons) is adorable too...

I am actually crushing on the colors of this garland!  I would love to see it used at a Fall wedding...as it would add pretty pops of pink to the more traditional color palette of oranges, browns and greys that are typically used.    And the name of the garland - Sugar Plum...which makes me start to come up with all kinds of wonderful thoughts and ideas!  You can find both of these sweet garlands and more at the lovely Etsy shop - This Neck of the Woods. 

~ Ciao

...images via this neck of the woods  (found via creature comforts)

~ sweet something blue ~

How gorgeous is this cake...

Baby blue and brown are such a great color combo...and the styling of this picture is fabulous!  I love how the hydrangeas on top add a bit of softness, and the design on the cake is perfect without being over done.  Add to that the brown satin ribbon that gives it the little extra oomph it needs...and I think you have some very sweet eye candy!

~ Ciao


...image via wedding style guide