It's Friday...And I'm Back!

I know, I know...I have a lot of explaining to do!  But that will just have to wait until Monday ;-)  As today I wanted to ease back into blogging and end the week on a positive, if not bright, note.  And...

my loves - so let's celebrate with some flowers...

Here's to a bright new year, and future for LCW!  Happy Friday lovelies...I super sure did miss you.

~ Ciao
...images via hello hello design on tumblr & 3.bp.blogspot

Inspired By: A Print

Hiya lovelies!  I am running way behind today...so sorry ;-)  But I do want to try and get this post and my Handcrafted post that I have up before the end of the day today...I will try my best!

It's been a bit since my last 'Inspired By' post...so I figured it was about time I did one.  So here goes ;-)  I think this cake...

Was inspired by this print...

Wouldn't you agree?  Hehe. 

I know, I know...I just posted this print yesterday with a color palette...but I gotta tell you lovelies - ALL WEEK LONG I have been seeing this color palette...from cakes to feathers and everything in between.  I was trying really hard not to post anything in this color palette again this week, but when I remembered that fabulous cake...I just couldn't help myself.  So forgive the duplicate print post...but it is just such a perfect match for that cake I HAD too post it again!

Okay, off to get some more work done...and hopefully my Handcrafted post ;-)  Hope you're having a fabulous day!

~ Ciao

...images via martha stewart and sunday in bed via look o on flickr

Picture Perfect Palette: A Painting

Good morning dearest darlings ;-)  How about we start today off with a lovely palette?  Yes.  Fabulous.  Then have a look-see at this 'Picture Perfect Palette'...

Gorgeous!  A smashing palette for Spring and Summer.  But I can't help but think that it would make a wonderful palette for a Winter wedding ;-)  I know, not your typical Winter palette, however, it sure could be fun, no?

~ Ciao

...image via sunday in bed via look o on flickr

Handcrafted: Halloween Pom Pom Tassel Garland

Hi loves.  I just wanted to share these with you really quick, as I made these darling pom poms for a photographer for Halloween pictures...

And just check out the picture the fabulous Tori of Recollections Photography sent me....

Soooooo D-A-R-L-I-N-G!!!  And my tassels look pretty cute too, no?

THANK YOU TORI at Recollections Photography sooo much for sharing with me ;-)  And be sure to check out all of Tori's goregous pictures on her blog!!!

~ Ciao

...photography by over the moon vintage rentals & recollections photography

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

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

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

Flowers of the Week: 8.15.11

Wishing you a wonderful Monday morning my dears!  I can't tell you how excited I am that today is Monday...I know, crazy right?  Usually I don't want Monday's to come, but today is special.  Why, you ask?  Well today I get to see the first look of Over The Moon Vintage Rentals' website!  Eeks...I can't wait to see it all. 

Carolynn of Two Brunettes is AH.MAZING to not only work with, but her designs are OVER THE MOON!  Talk about one uber talented lady ;-)  If you are looking for a designer, than trust me, you MUST contact Carolynn.  She is super easy to work with, listens, cares, is patient and is so helpful.  Yet, I must also tell you my programmer, Otis of Example 7, is AH.MAZING as well!  He communicates every step of the way, and  is just so dang helpful that you almost have to pinch yourself to believe how helpful he really is.  He truly cares - which I think is hard to find these days.  I can't tell you how wonderful this whole process has been, and I believe it's because I am working with two of the BEST people in the industry! THANK YOU both to the moon and back, and for being so fabulously you ;-)

So this week's 'Flowers of the Week' are a little thank you to Carolynn and Otis for all of their hard work!  Have a look-see at this SPECTACULAR bouquet...

You bet your buttons this bouquet had to be spectacular ;-)  Gorgeous, no?  Oh I am so loving the poppies!  The colors are stunning, and you know I love the unstructredness of it.  I am seriously smitten with this one my dears.  Hope you are too.

I am getting back on track, and starting to feel like me again ;-)  I have something up my sleeve, and have a meeting this morning about it - hope to be able to share with you soon...as I am super duper excited about it.  Here's to a wonderful week!

~ Ciao

...image via wedding style guide

Inspired By: Rainer Cherries

There is no cherry prettier and sweeter than the Rainer!  It is said that: "growing these cherries is like playing poker with God."  I guess that explains why they are kind of expensive ;-) 

Rainers make a brief appearance in June and July, and are definitely something I look forward to every Summer.  However, once you've had Rainers it's hard to have anything else.  To me, they are definitely inspiring!  Have a look-see at the lovely Rainers...

Pretty, no?  And the blue plate below adds just the perfect amount of contrast, to make the prettiest palette!  Wonder if this dessert table was inspired by them...

Again, it's not just the color, but the feel here - summery, light, pretty and sweet - both the Rainer cherries and the dessert table!  Don't you just love how inspiration can come from anywhere - a chevron floor, chippy pink paint, an embroidered book cover and Rainer cherries are all perfect examples of just that!

~ Ciao

...images via cannelle et vanille & cake ink events

Darling Detail No. 16: Striped Straws

Oh these striped straws are darling in the most fabulous summery shade...

And I have to tell you -  I am adoring the name tags on the mason jars too...

Only one thing though - where's my glass, and the cocktails?

~ Ciao

...photography by souder via ruffled

Tuesday Thought: Painted Pots & Lots of Thoughts

So sorry my dears ~ I thought I had scheduled this for earlier today...and just realized I didn't!  Eeks...it's late, but here it is...

Hello loves!  How is your Tuesday going so far?  Fabulous, I hope.  Mine is busy, a good busy!  And can you believe it - we are supposed to get some rain today!  Rain in Northern California, in June - doesn't happen all that often...so will see if it actually does ;-)

So I have a super simple 'Tuesday Thought' for you today.  Have a look-see at my inspiration...

It's funny how things hit me sometimes.  And I know that we have all seen painted pots before, so I know this idea is nothing new.  But  I think they are a great idea to use at a wedding - easy and inexpensive.

So here are your 'Tuesday Thoughts'...yes, Thoughts - as you know I have a couple of them! 

First 'Thought': I think painting terra cotta pots in your wedding colors and then using them as centerpieces is a fabulous idea.  You can use a glossy paint, or a matte one - your choice as either would work, and you can paint them any color you want - either a variety of colors, or all one color for a more dramatic look.  Just have a bigger pot in the middle with some smaller pots around planted with flowers, herbs or plants.  You could always use the tiny ones to hold candles if you'd like.  Also, the tiny ones would look darling planted and use as place cards.  Plus, I like the idea of having a couple of the small pots stacked upside down (as they are above) on the table - they would be perfect to hold a table number that has been attached to a branch/stick...just stick the stick in the hole.  Or you could even stick a flag with the table number on it - just some extra fun, cute ideas.  And you know how much I LOVE moss!  I would love to see them filled with moss with pinwheels in the as a fun and whimsy centerpiece.  Granted you don't want painted pot overload so use care, but I do think they could be quite lovely. 

Second 'Thought':  I think the smaller pots would looking darling in your wedding colors, stacked upside down on your dessert table to have your guests fill with sweets and take home!  As for the hole in the bottom (if there is one), well I would just use a piece of paper in a coordinating color, punch using a circle punch and with a glue dot or two adhere to the bottom of the pot.

Third 'Thought':  They are always darling planted with flowers, herbs or plants and used as escort cards!

Fourth and final 'Thought' for today:  I would LOVE to see the small painted pots hanging as decor - they'd be a fabulous pop of color from above.  And for all the tall people, like me, just make sure to hang them high enough so people don't hit their heads!

There are lots of other darling ways these pots can be incorporated into weddings - like planted with flowers, herbs or a plant for a favor, filled with a pretty bag of dirt and some seeds for your guests to plant their own...  Get creative loves and see what 'thoughts' pop into your pretty little head!  Ooh, I'd love to hear about them too ;-)

~ Ciao

...photography by gabriella imperatori-penn

On the Table: Fabulous Fruit

I think it's been ages since my last 'On the Table' post - I will definitely have to get better about posting them more often...starting with today!

And with yesterday being the first day of Summer and all - I thought this fabulous fruit centerpiece would be the perfect pic to post today, as it has Summer written all of it... 

Gorgeous, no?  I adore the pop of color from the tablecloth, and the simple white compote.  I would love to see these centerpieces on long tables, placed here and there on the table.  Plus, with just a couple of other details - like fruit and leaves on the table, a handful of vintage bottle of leaves and blossoms, and some candles I think it would make for some stunning decor! 

Of course you could always bring in a fun or cute element at each place setting too.  I can think of a handful of things to do - like each guests name written in white ink on a leaf at each place, the napkin wrapped with simple twine and with a blossom stuck in the knot, of course a cute flag on a stick with a name on it, stuck in a piece of fruit at each setting would be darling and fun...  But tell me loves, what would you do?

~ Ciao

...photography sang an

Flowers of the Week: 5.2.11

Happy first Monday in May my dears!!  Before I forget, I have to give a shout out to my brother as it is his birthday today - Happy Birthday big brother!!!!  Hope you have a wonderful day ;-)

Okay, was worried for some reason that I would start typing this post and get wrapped up in all the lovely and forget to send him birthday wishes.  So thank you for indulging me, and letting me get it out of the way first!

Oh me, oh my do I have some lovely for you today!  Amazingly gorgeous bouquets by none other than the amazing Kate of Flowerwild.  I know, I know...again with Flowerwild.  However, when you see the lovely that I have for today, I think you will understand why I just had to post...as they are by far MY 'Flowers of the Week' ;-)  Have a look-see...

How gorgeous is this bouquet of orange and copper cymbidium orchids, oncidium orchids and passion vine tendrils?  Yes?  Then have a look-see at this maroon and chocolate oncidium orchids and white passion vine...

This bouquet alone just might bring back the arm bouquet!  And my loves, what are your thoughts on arm bouquets anyway?  Would love to hear.  Okay, continuing on with the lovely is this bouquet of cattleya orchids and green anthurium...

And lastly, but certainly not least, is this bouquet of orange weber parrot tulips and foraged trumpet vine...

Eeks - I LOVE trumpet vine.  Oh, and passion vine too.  Yet, what I really love about these bouquets are the flowers that Kate used.  A variety of gorgeous orchids and vines and some fabulous parrot tulips are not the usual types of flowers you see in bouquets everyday...hence why I love.  Also, as I am sure you already know, I love the loose and unstructuredness of each arrangement...as the flowers are not forced into some shape, however, the flowers themselves shape the bouquet.  Whew...see, told you, lots of lovely!

And the lovely doesn't stop here.  I have another lovely post coming up before noon, and lots more lovely scheduled for this week.  Hmmm, I just might have to call this LCW's Lovely Week!

P. S. - Speaking of lovely - how stunningly lovely did Miss Kate look on her wedding day?  Oh her dress and flowers were just picture perfect, no?  I knew she would have long sleeves, but the lace with the deep V was perfection!  As was Pippa's bridesmaid dress.  I love the fact that it was white too, as it created a gorgeous and cohesive look.

~ Ciao

...photography by jose villa & images via flowerwild, snippet & ink, and martha stewart's the bride's guide

Flowers of the Week: 4.25.11

Good Morning my dears!  So tell me, did you have a lovely Easter?  Me, well I spent this Easter all by my lonesome...and I enjoyed EVERY.SINGLE.MINUTE of it!  Don't get me wrong, I love being around people and celebrating.  Yet, I am also the type of person that needs some alone time to regroup and recharge...as I like to call it.  However,  this Easter Sunday was a chance for me to sleep in, chat with my Mom on the phone, do laundry (goodness, do you love clean sheets as much as me?), take a 2.5 mile walk in the afternoon sunshine, finally had an opportunity to do pilates (swimsuit season will be here before we know it), ate a shrimp salad for dinner, had a chocolate and vanilla swirl frozen yogurt with chocolate sprinkles (oh yes, love sprinkles) for dessert, and actually had a chance to get a couple posts done for later this week!   All in all, an absolutely lovely day that was stress-free and all about me ;-)  Which I think we all need from time to time! 

I think I am trying to enjoy whatever free time I get these days as I know starting in May it is going to be work, work, work!  Don't get me wrong, I am over the moon about all of it, and I do get a little break when my sister and her family come for two weeks in July.  But other than that, I currently see no end in sight!  When I spoke to my Mom this afternoon she asked me when I thought I might be able to get out to Florida for a visit...my answer:  December!  Oh, it is such a long ways away.  I am hoping she might come out to California in the meantime...goodness knows I could sure use some of her amazing sewing skills...hehe ;-)

Anyhoo, I have to tell you that I struggled and struggled with the Flowers of the Week this week.  Seems funny to say, but my issue was that I knew exactly what flowers I wanted to post, but thought that you, my dears, would be tired of my LOVE for anything designed by the amazing Kate at Flowerwild!  So I tried to find other flowers that I thought you might like.  Yet, none of them felt quite right.  But it got me thinking - this blog is all about the things I love and am inspired by, and hopeful when shared with you, you will love and be inspired by them too.  I started this blog for one reason - to have a spot for all the fabulous and lovely wedding inspiration that I find or dream up.  LCW is sooo me...and if I stay true to me, then I would post the flowers that I originally wanted to post - so that is exactly what I am going to do.  I am going to post two bouquets that I am sure you have already seen, but since I am over the moon about them, I am going to post them anyway.  And also because if I don't stay true to me...then who would I be?!?!

So without further ado, just have a look-see at this gorgeousness...

I think I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this first bouquet!  Oh the glorious colors, the huge blooms, the softness, the unstructuredness (I think I just might have made that word up...such a me thing to do that my friends made up there own word for it - a Kristism)...all of it PERFECTION and such a showstopper, no?  But the gorgeousness doesn't stop there.  Have a look-see at this soft Spring bouquet...

Love the warmth and sweetness of this one.  Understated elegance is what this bouquet is!  And aren't those tulips spectacular?  So you know I have to ask - which one do you like best?  I would love to hear ;-)

Stay tuned for another post coming up this morning, and lots more goodness to come later this week!  I will meet you back here in a bit.

~ Ciao

...photography by jose villa via style me pretty, designed by kate at flowerwild

Flowers of the Week: 4.11.11

Oh Monday - why did you have to come so soon?  I wasn't quite ready for you yet!  However, another Monday means another week closer to Summer.  And I heart Summer.  June just can't get here quick enough these days.  Then July, when my sister and her family come to spend two weeks for our birthdays.

Did I ever mention that my sister and my birthday are one day apart?  Different years, but one day apart.  Yes, mine first and then at midnight just for a split second it is ours, and then a second later it is hers!  I used to complain growing up that I never had my own birthday once she was born...as she was younger and we always celebrated our birthdays together on her day.  Golly, my mom usually forgets my birthday (I don't mean that in a bad way at all mom) as I think she is so used to celebrating on my sisters.  However, now I could care less!  I am so blessed and thankful I have a sister, and that she is such a big part of my life (even though we are on opposites sides of the United State).  We have always celebrated our birthdays together...yet, the last couple of years we haven't been able too.  But come this July we get to celebrate our birthdays together once again!  To say I am OVER THE MOON is an understatement.  Goodness, it is only April and I am already thinking about it. 

So you are probably wondering why all this talk about my sister?  Well when I saw this beautiful arrangement it reminded me of her...

The oranges and yellows are so Cole (my sister)!  She looks fabulous wearing these colors with her brown curly hair ;-)  Now me, these colors don't look so good ;-(  Which I wish wasn't the case, as I do love orange and yellow.  I can however get away with the paler yellow, and the peach.  And I'm telling you a lot of people can't wear grey...oh but I can, and I love it!  Okay, I am now officially rambling. 

So tell me - did everyone have a lovely weekend?  Do anything fun?  Was the sun shining for you?  It was here, but it was still fairly cool.  Maybe that is why I choose a pop of color for this Monday - to bring in the warmth that has yet to fully arrive, and the wish for summer to hurry up and get here.  And if it hasn't arrived for you either yet, then I hope this adds some warmth and color to your Monday, my dears.  Wishing you a wonderful week!

P.S. - And Cole I think it is pact time!  Pact:   that we try never to spend our birthdays apart again!  Okay? 

~ Ciao

...image via poppies and posies and also seen on design sponge

~ over the moon ~

...about this fabric backdrop for either decoration, your ceremony or your photo booth.

I love this idea of piece different fabrics together for a backdrop.  It is an fairly easy DIY, and such would be such a great detail to add to your big day.  I would also love to see it behing the head table...instead of a wall, if inside.  Just find some fabulous fabric and sew together!  Or bet yet, have someone sew it together for you ;-)))


~ Ciao

...photography by corbin gurkin via style me pretty

~ 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

~ pump day #4: jade & carrot ~

Are two fabulous color options for Via Spiga's malibu d'orsy peralized patent pump!  If you are looking for something with a classic, or more traditional style, but still with a little something extra (the pop of color) these might be a great option for you.   Which would you choose?  Jade...

Or carrot...

Yet, they also come in black and platinum...so many choices.  All I know is that either one would be comfortable to wear as the heel isn't at a towering height...even though the higher the better in my book!  And with a price under $200.00 they would be comfortable on the budget as well! 

P.S. - This is my attempt to remember that not everyone loves sky high heels  like me.  So every now and then I will be mixing it up with some lower options, at a reasonable price!  

~ Ciao

...images via nordstorms

~ flowers of the week: 8.23.10 ~

So did everyone have a great weekend?  Mine was quite nice.  I came in third at our monthly poker game which we hosted.  It's so much fun getting the group together once a month, and I especially love any reason to throw a party!  And after seeing lots or red cards Saturday, that treated me well I might add, I am in the mood for some color this week...

I am loving the red, orange and yellow in the bouquet and centerpieces...simple, elegant and perfect for early Fall don't you think?

It's Fall in my neck of the woods...I don't care what the weatherman says...it is!  Yes, today and tomorrrow are supposed to be hot and in the 90's, but you can feel a difference in the air.  The days have a warm (not hot) breeze that's rustling the leaves in the trees, and the nights are getting crisper.  Before I know it I'll be wearing cozy sweaters, and there will be nightly fires in the fireplace...perfect snuggling up weather!  And I think that's what I like most about Fall - it's makes you want to be cozy and snuggle...well at least for me it does!  I think the Fall bug has finally bitten me...what about you?  Are you ready for it?

~ Ciao

...images via style me pretty & photography by becky young

~ homemade: drawer pulls part II ~

Okay, I'm back with another way to use drawer pulls!  This time instead of woodland, rustic we are going minimal in bright colors!  Nothing like going from one end of the spectrum to the other, but my intention is to show you how they could work no matter what the style or theme may be!  So for round two, I used the drawer pulls to top favor bags...

For the drawer pulls I just spray painted them a bright yellow, and them punched holes into a bag, slide the backs through and secured with a screw!  Simply and easy.  You could also write names, or an initial or thank you on them if desired!  Here are a couple more pictures...

All of the paper used in this photo shoot came from two gifts bags that I bought on clearance.  I just cut them up and used them as accents.  I especially love the weaved paper under the candles...a simple, easy, low cost touch with lots of impact!  Wished I would have bought more bags...I would have loved to do a runner on the table or placemats for under the plates!

So last week I showed you how to use them as place cards, and so far this week how to use them on menu cards and attached to favors...up next are just a couple of other simple ideas on how to use them!

~ Ciao

...photography by me