Flowers of the Week: 10.24.11

Happy Monday lovelies ;-)  Did you have a wonderfully sweet weekend?  Do anything fabulously fun?  Me - well, I pinned all weekend.  No, seriously...pretty much all weekend long.  I love that I could stay in bed with my iPad and pin away the day...HA!  It's a perfect thing to do when you're not feeling well...just look at pretty pictures and pin the ones you like - easy peasy...and that's a good thing because that's about all I could handle all weekend!

However, I did rally up some energy and attend a lunch, and visited with friends and family on Saturday for a couple hours...but other than that I did not do too much, or leave the house all weekend...which is sooo NOT me!  But I just haven't been feeling 100% ;-(  Headaches and a fever = no fun.  And I see a doctor visit coming soon if things don't straighten up around here.  Granted, I don't feel awful and miserable - just not very good, and my normal full of energy self.  I am hoping that all changes this week, and whatever I have will just go away...I wonder if that's wishful thinking?!?!

So I really am in need of some beautiful flowers to brighten up my Monday.  And I think this bouquet will definitely doing the trick...

All wrapped up pretty and ready to go.  Hmm, I don't mind if I do ;-)

Here's to a great week (sick or not, dang it) here at LCW!  I'll be back soon with my second post.  Until then - enjoy the flowers...hehe.

~ Ciao

...image via ruffled

Darling Detail No. 25: Wheat Garland

Good morning darlings ;-)  Well, I decided I can't do 'Fall Week' without a darling detail, now can I?  And the detail that I am loving for Fall is this wheat garland...

Natural, earthy rusticness is just perfect for Fall.  And it would be so simple to make!  Goodness, I see a small project coming on ;-)

~ Ciao

...image via 100 layer cake

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

Tuesday Thought: Caramel Apples

Happy Tuesdays my dears!  So I am finally starting to feel like myself again ;-)  Still feel like I need lots of sleep, but another day or two and I'll be back to 100%!

Okay, I know that caramel apples are nothing knew, but check these out...

Talk about dipped in something fun...these caramel apples have a little something extra special with a double chocolate drizzle or a dip into dried fruit, toffee bits, nuts, and/or cocoa nibs!

So here is your simply (as that's about all I can muster up today) 'Tuesday Thought' my dears:  I would LOVE to see a caramel apple station at a wedding!  Not one where the guests do it...but one where they go up and place their order, and choose their dipping ins ;-)  They can be made, with the guests names attached, and then the guests can pick them up later on in the evening after the caramel has cooled.  Or you can have each guest fill out a tag that has been at each seat with their name on it,and what they want...and then at the end of the night they can pick it up!  Plus, it would be fun for your guests to watch they make them if they wanted too!  Goodness with choices like chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, and nuts like macadamia's, pecans, almonds, and lots of other creative choices...your guests are sure to find something they like!  I think I want a caramel apple dipped in chocolate and then topped (or bottomed, depending on how you look at it) in macadamia nuts please - YUMMY!

Ooh and there would be so many cute ways to package them if you are giving them as favors!  Or if you just want to make your own...these are pretty easy to make, as you use wrapped caramels and chocolate pieces ;-)  You can get the recipe right HERE my dears.

Happy dipping my dears!
~ Ciao

...image via country home

Tuesday Shoesday #45: Nuts for Boots

Good morning lovelies - Happy Tuesday to you!  Since I am posting all things Fall this week, I thought these Chloe leather boots would be perfect for a rustic Fall affair...

I'm loving the simple detail and the seams on these boots, and I think that a wedding dress adorned with a leather belt would be so cute too!  Plus, don't they pair up nicely with the texture and colors of these handmade completely edible nuts...

I am going NUTS over these!  No really, I am ;-)  How totally fabulous are they?  I love that they are completely edible, and filled with chocolate.  And they look wonderful on top of a cake.  Now that would be my kind of Fall cake...a gorgeous white cake with strategically placed nuts!  No pun intended at all loves.  And I think I would need a squirrel cake topper too ;-)

Not your traditional Fall inspired cake, but one that would most definitely make a statement!

Be sure to check out these lovely blogs for more Tuesday Shoesday goodness:

~ Postcards & Pretties ~ Brancoprata ~ Life in the Superburbs ~ Magnolia Rouge ~ Landlocked Bride ~ The Demosielle ~ Swatchbook Weddings ~ A Realistic Wedding  ~ Merci New York ~

~ Ciao

...images via net-a-porter & andie's specialty sweets

LCW Style: Fall Fashion

Well we can't do a Fall Week without some Fall fashion, now can we?  So I figured why not start with the little ones!?!  No not children, puppies...or dogs if you like.  Tell me that this bow tie wouldn't be darling for your little fella...

Oh my goodness - just look at that face!  He's like - Mom, not again...I'm tired of smiling!  And that face and the bow tie...I am dying of cuteness over here ;-)  So many other cute choices over at Happy Dog Clothes on Etsy.  Hey, we can't forget man's best friend now can we...hehe.

~ Ciao

...image via happy dog clothes

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

Tuesday Thought: GOURDgeous

I think to celebrate this first Tuesday in October - I am going totally rustic, Fall, country on you...if that makes any sense!  You all know how sometimes simple can be stunning, right?  Well, I think the simplicity of this...

is pretty stunning in a Fall, rustic way!  Such an interesting display of gourds, no?  I know we have all probably seen them before, but maybe just not in this way.  And you can always cut off the bottoms on some bottles so that the gourds could fit...or use cloche's, candlesticks, vases, etc...  I'm sure lots of fabulous things fit in there year around!  But I do LOVE this idea.

So here is your easy, breezy 'Tuesday Thought' my darlings:  Use gourds and clear glass jars, vases and even candlesticks to rest your gourds on or in for lovely centerpieces!  How pretty would this look all lined down a long table...white a white table cloth and a burlap runner...and lots and lots of candlelight so when it starts to get dark the candlelight can bounce off all the pretty glass.  Can you picture it?  It's an easy, eco-friendly centerpiece idea ;-)

My mom used to grow gourds to decorate with when she lived in Southern Indiana.  They are quite easy to grow, however letting them dry out (you know when they are dry when the seeds rattle inside) and then having to scrub them with soap and water, and sometimes even bleach was time consuming and a task...so while you could grow your own, if you had the time and space, for some of you I think it would be much easier to buy some of them...from here (I did NOT compare prices when looking, but the prices seemed reasonable and there was a great selection), or any other place you might find.  Yet, I do like the look of the ones above with some of the spots and colors versus the gourds that are completely scrubbed clean...so I would most definitely plant and grow my own...as long as I had the time ;-)  To find out how to clean them, click right here.

Oh, I bet a local farmers market might have some at this time of year, so you could check there too!  Just a thought for you darlings.  Hope you have a wonderful rest of the day ;-)

~ Ciao

...image via country home

A Fabulous Fall Favor

Happy Friday darlings!  Sorry for getting this post up later than usual - things are busy, busy around here these day ;-)

Anyhoo, do you think there is a more perfect Fall favor than these...

Really - who wouldn't LOVE to take home a mini peach, lemon, apple pie!?!  And the simple twine wrapped around the boxes with a handcrafted tag is just the perfect personal touch...

Why give them a slice, when you can give them the pie?  I think this is gonna be my new motto!  Hmmm, I wonder if I should TM that quote...if it's not already...hehe ;-)  And if you feel adventurous enough, then here is a DIY courtesy of Style Me Pretty for you!

On another note - can you believe that tomorrow we are going to be saying "Hello October?"  Before we know it Halloween will be here.  And I haven't even given one thought to it so far - I think I best get going, no?

Alrighty darlings - I hope you have a fabulous weekend! I will see you back here on Sunday for some sweetness ;-)  Now I'm off to make pom poms for an order and lots of sparkle for the Grand Opening of the Inspired Collective...so if any of you live in Northern California - I hope you can come onThursday night...would LOVE to meet you!

~ Ciao

...images via ???  eeks I am researching it

Tuesday Shoesday #42: Terracotta & Flowers

Good Tuesday Shoesday to you my dears!  Since last Friday was the first day of Fall, I thought that I should post some Fall inspired shoes ;-)  And what's more Fall than a pair of rusty orange terracotta colored suede Giuseppe Zanotti's...

Eeks - this color is sooo my sister ;-)  I can't wear this color, except on my feet, but my sister looks fabulous in it! 

Anyhoo, while these shoes are quite a statement, I don't think you would want a terracotta colored cake!  But have no fear darlings, as you can bring in little punches of this terracotta color in in the form of flowers...

Paired with some golden yellows and soft greens, it is perfect for an early Fall affair!  I love how the shoes and flowers are both cutouts, don't you?  Eeks - I heart details...in case you didn't know ;-)

Be sure to check out these lovely blogs for more Tuesday Shoesday goodness:

~ Postcards & Pretties ~ Brancoprata ~ Life in the Superburbs ~ Magnolia Rouge ~ Landlocked Bride ~ The Demosielle ~ Swatchbook Weddings ~ A Realistic Wedding  ~ Merci New York ~

~ Ciao

...images via net-a-porter and sarah's stands

Sunday Sweetness

...is enjoying a Fall day with friends and family!

So perfect for a casual rehearsal dinner, no?  So I wonder where I am sitting ;-)  Hope your enjoying your first Fall weekend loves.  See you back here tomorrow!

~ Ciao

...image via country home

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

One Week From Today

And it is officially Fall!  Eeks - can you believe it my dears?  The weather this week has been cooler, and definitely fall like.  I think I just might be ready to pull out my lightweight sweaters and cardigans and get cozy ;-)

However, I understand if you're not quite ready yet.  Maybe this fabulous fall table for two will help get you in the mood...

Fall flowers in a vintage wood cream cheese crate - yes, please!  I always love when arrangements extend beyond their containers...like those persimmons.  Pretty perfection, no?  Plus, I really am tempted, just for the cuteness of it, to use apples as seating cards sometime this Fall...just to turn an ordinary dinner night into a little celebration.  Ooh, and next Friday being the first day of Fall, is just the right night to do so.  Have some fun loves, celebrate the little things...because it's all the little things that are truly extra special ;-) 

And to Fall - come on over, I am ready to cozy!

~ Ciao

...images via brooklyn bride

Flowers of the Week: 9.5.11

Happy Labor Day Monday my dears!  How is your holiday weekend going so far?  Fabulous, I hope ;-)  I just wanted to pop in for the first Monday in September and post a gorgeous Fall bouquet for you!  I told you last Monday that I had some gorgeousness for you, and I do.  Have a look-see at this...

Now how is that for a gorgeous Fall bouquet?  I was OVER THE MOON about all the flowers in photographer Jessica Claire's wedding!  And to be honest, it was not just the flowers - I thought the whole wedding was spectacular, didn't you?  It was one of my FAVORITE, if not my favorite, Fall weddings last year ;-)  And just because the flowers were so spectacular, I thought I would share some more with you my dears...

See - SPECTACULAR!  I hope this gorgeousness tides you over til tomorrow my dears, as this is the only post I am doing today.
Enjoy your holiday loves.  I will see you back here tomorrow with my normally scheduled two posts.  Now, I am off to have some fun...as I NEED a little fun these days!

~ Ciao

...photography by jose villa via style me pretty

Homemade: S'mores Cupcakes

Happy Homemade Thursday my loves!  Good golly are you in for a little bit of heaven today ;-)  I don't know what has gotten into me lately, but I keep finding all these fabulous homemade goodies that I just have to share with you.  And today's S'mores Cupcakes are over the moon! 

I found this yummyness (is that even a word? ) on a new blog I stumbled upon, and fell in love with, called 6 Bittersweets written by Xiaolu.  Maybe you have heard of the blog before?  I have a vague recollection I have been there before, but when I ran across it the other day I looked at page after page of deliciousness (now I know that is a word).   Not only do the recipes sound delicious, but the styling (LOVE the inverted cake tin) and photography is fabulous!  Alright enough talking out of me.  Just have a look-see for yourself...

And here is how Xiaolu describes them:  "moist chocolate cake sandwiched between flavorful graham cracker crust layers and even more chocolate chunks. The best part, though, is the toasted marshmallow frosting that becomes delightfully gooey at first bite."  Tell me that doesn't sound yummy!  Here is what they look like without the marshmallow frosting...

And of course like most things - they definitely look better dressed up a bit ;-)  The torched marshmallow frosting with the small piece of chocolate on top is just perfection...

A fabulous addition to a Fall dessert table!

You can find the recipe for S'mores Cupcakes right here.  I also adore the cuteness of the Oreo Owl Cupcakes,  and the Strawberry N' Cream Cupcakes would be perfect for a Summer soiree.  However, there are other delicious recipes that aren't sweets...so be sure to have a look-see as there is lots of goodness to see.

~ Ciao

...images via 6 bittersweets

~ flowers of the week: 11.22.10 ~

Happy Monday my dears!  Golly can you believe that Thursday is Thanksgiving?  I think I am still in a little bit of shock at how fast this year has flown by.  It really needs to slow down don't you think?  Only if that were possible...

Well, this weekend was cold, windy and rainy.  We even had thunder and lightning in the Bay Area which is quite rare for us.  Winter is slowly creeping upon us...but I am still in the mood for Fall, and thought this bouquet is perfect for a Fall day...

I am adoring the mix of leaves, berries, and wheat.  Not to mention the perfectly wrapped base with burlap, lace and fabric rosette.  A rustic, chic Fall bouquet - yes, please!

~ Ciao

...photography by cameron ingalls via style me pretty

~ flowers of the week: 11.15.10 ~

Good morning lovelies!  Did everyone enjoy the Fall weekend?  Mine was quite warm and sunny, but it is definitely Fall with the cool breeze blowing the leaves and the chilly nights and mornings.  So how about this bouquet...

Of apples, leaves and berries - quite fitting for a Fall, no?  

I have a jammed packed week this week, and will try my best to get a Tuesday Thought up and a homemade project for Thursday...but I can't make any promises this week.  You'll just have to check back to see...although I do have some projects in the works...I just hope I have time to finish them and still be able to get some sleep!  Hope you have a lovely week. 

~ Ciao

...image via country home

~ homemade: abundant autumn ~

Yay for Thursday, and another homemade post!  For this week's post I decided to do something a little different.  Surprised?  Probably not anymore. 

Anyway, I wanted to create an autumn tablescape that was brighter than the typical browns and oranges you see so often.  Not that I don't love them...I do (and I will probably create something using these colors), but I wanted to give you another color palette option.  My inspiration for this post was a gourd.  This one to be exact...

I fell hard for the vibrant green and bright yellow colors, and thought that I would push myself creatively to create a tablescape around it.  A tablescape that can be used at a wedding or autumn event...and one that was cost effective!  You can easily cut costs by using what's in season, and what is more in season in autumn than leaves?  Which were free in my case.  So with all that being said, here is my tablescape...

I have really been on a dessert kick lately for the centerpieces!  Not only do I love the ease of it, but desserts can be so pretty.  For the desserts I used mini pecan tarts, pumpkin mousse tarts and mini pumpkin pies.





The one thing I love most about this tablescape is the favors.  After racking my brain to come up with a unique idea, I kept coming back to what autumn is all about for me...food.  Fresh baked pies, stuffed turkeys, sweet potatoes...all things that come out of an oven.  And what do you use to get things out of the oven?  Potholders and oven mitts!  I used both on this table...

Potholders for the girls...

And oven mitts for the boys...

I especially love the one for the girls as it is the perfect spot to slide a menu into.  But I do like to mix things up too!  Finally, I just finished the table off with a couple of candles...

And a couple more gourds...

And there you have it...

...an abundant autumn tablescape.  Hope you enjoyed this Thursday's homemade post!  If I have some time later I will try and post a couple more pictures for you.  Hope you have a lovely autumn day!

~ Ciao

...concept, design, styling & photography all by me

~ spooky sunday sweetness ~

Happy Halloween my darlings! Hope everyone gets lots of yummy treats.  You can get the recipe for these spooky sweets right here.  Enjoy, and see you tomorrow.

~ Ciao

...image via matt bites via postcards & pretties

~ in love with ~

These absolutely adorable wool felted acorns by Green Baboon Designs on Etsy! Such a perfect detail for a Fall or Winter wedding (the colored ones would be great for Spring and Summer).  They would make the cutest escort cards, no?  How about using them as favors, or as place cards, or decor hanging from branches or even as cake toppers...LOVE!

Also, they would look lovely on a christmas gift, or on the tree, or in a bowl...soo many ways to use.

And if that wasn't reason enough to love them - then how about this...20% of all sales now through October 31, 2010 will be donated to the National Rescue Center for Domestic Violence - we all have the power to help! I just did by ordering the white ones! 

***This is NOT a sponsered post.  I just love the cause!

~ Ciao

...images via green baboon design