Flowers of the Week: 3.5.12

Happy Monday!  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend - I did...even though it involved a lot of painting, it was still great.

As always, I love to start the week off with flowers.  And of course, Kate at Flowerwild is one of my absolute fave designers - as witnessed below.

images via flowerwild

Here's looking forward to a great week.

On the Table: Red, White + Wood

Hi there lovelies!  How is your Wednesday going?  Mine is just peachy really ;-)  I know I still have a lot of explaining to do, but I just don't have the time right now to do so...and you just might not want to hear all that I have to say.  So while I still contemplate explaining my disappearance for almost two months, I thought I would still pop in and leave you with some lovely inspiration!

I know we are in the midst of Winter...hello highs of 52...and everyone is looking forward to Spring, but when I saw these pictures, I just couldn't help but think how fabulous Fall really is...

Here's a closer look at those table names...

Eeks - fabulously rustic and Fall.  Here are a couple more details for you to devour...

I gotta tell you that I am loving all of this, aren't you?  And the leaves on the floor are one of those details that sends me over the moon ;-)

~ Ciao

...photography by nikki meyer via the pretty blog

Tuesday Thought: Drawer Liners

Good day loves ;-)  You know the old saying:  "when it rains, it pours?"  Well it is POURING in my neck of the woods...and I'm not talking rain either!  Well not yet at least...that's supposed to start on Thursday this week.  I must say that I would take pouring rain down over this type of pouring anyday!  But all that has to wait unitl I get my window fixed in my car ;-(  Yes, after just a couple weeks ago spending almost $1500 to get my car fixed, I now have to dump another...at least $450 because my driver side window won't go up!  Of course this doesn't happen in the Summer...nope, it happens when I have to drive to work in 50 degree temperatures.  Oh and yes, it is stuck all the way down.  And yes, I have to get it fixed as it's supposed to start raining on Thursday.  So you see, I still have a day job...gasp - I don't think I have ever mentioned that before...which with two postings daily here, one posting on OTMVR's blog (which I haven't posted there in over a week - bad Kristi), a vintage rental businesses, two Etsy businesses and an event planning business...you can see how it's P-O-U-R-I-N-G in my neck of the woods right now.

So hang tight with me loves as my posting has been a bit off for the last two weeks...I have soooo much going on right now I can't see straight...including a possible MOVE!  We, being me and LCW, are not going anywhere...we are just ironing out some kinks and fixing up the car ;-)  So stay with me please as the next week or two might be a bit sporadic in posting...I promise I will be back to normal by the first of December!

And while I didn't get a Tuesday Shoesday post done today, I did do my 'Thought Thought' post.  Here was my inspiration this week...

Gold chevron drawer liners ;-)  Oh how I would LOVE to line my drawers with these!  And as always it got me thinking.  These liners are too pretty to go inside a drawer...hmmm.

So here is your 'Tuesday Thought' loves:  Use these drawer liners as decor for your tables!  Can't you just picture a glam event with these running the lengths of the tables?  And it doesn't even have to cover the entire table...just a couple on a long rectangular table would be fabulous.

It's so perfect for a bridal shower, bridesmaids luncheon, or just about any other party.  And another 'Thought' for you...is you could possibly use them for place mats for a smaller affair!  Hey, if I can use wallpaper (and lots of other different things) as place mats and table runners...then I can most certainly use drawer liners...hehe ;-)

You can get your own fabulous golden chevron drawer liners right HERE.

~ Ciao

...image via hammocks & high tea

Fantasy Friday: A Fashionable Fete

Good morning darlings.  Happy Friday! 

I was thinking the other day, while watching football, about something new and fun that I could bring to my blog - and it dawned on me...if boys (and girls too) can have 'Fantasy Football' - then I, you, me, we can most definitely have 'Fantasy Friday' - hehe ;-)  Don't you just love how I can rationalize that?  I am told I am pretty good, quite possibly a master, at it...at least when it comes to rationalizing with men.  However, I think most woman are, are we not?  A master that is.  Not that I have to rationalize anything here...but in case you're wondering - that's just how 'Fantasy Friday' came about.

Anyhoo, what is 'Fantasy Friday' you ask...well it can be anything that I am fantasizing about.  But I want you to play along with me - and tell me what you have been fantasizing about this week.  Maybe I should clarify that - fantasies about weddings, fashion, food, shoes, flowers, baubles, stationery, beauty, style, etc...  Here is mine for this week...

A fashionable fete in white and gold.  I am LOVING white and gold these days.  Seriously, LOVING it ;-)  In my fantasy I would create a fete with an all white and gold palette with some stunning details that are, of course, a bit different - like the detail on the dress.  So I would use the Tiffany pill box as a ring holder.  Don't you think it would make the most PERFECT ring holder ever?  The centerpieces on long tables would be a variety of all white flowers, with smaller vases filled with just one type of flower.  And I would use the mirrored tray to hold a fabulously tall three tiered white cake.  It would be stunning, no?  Just thought I would share a couple of things I have been fantasizing about this week. 

So tell me darlings - what have you fantasizing about this week?

~ Ciao

...dress photography by jose villa via rue magazine, gold tiffany pill box via 1stdibs, flowers via bing & cinchwaist iron/mirror tray via interior homescapes

Handcrafted: Inspired Collective Display No. 3

Good mid-morning lovelies!  How is your day going so far?  Mine, is a bit frantic...but that is nothing new these days ;-)  However, I am tickled that today is Thursday - as tonight is the Grand Opening Party of the Inspired Collective!  So yesterday I stopped in to change up my display.  And in talking with Allison glittery gold, white and aqua goodness was what decided.  Sounds like fun, no?

I had lots of fun crafting up glittery goodness for this display.  Here's a little sneak peek for you lovelies...

And to see a couple more sneak peeks head on over to Over The Moon Vintage Rentals' blog ;-)  I can't wait to see you there! 

~ Ciao

...concept, design, crafting and photography all by over the moon vintage rentals 

Darling Detail No. 24: Milk Bottles

After last week's Color Crave and Color Crave Recreated post - I am in L-O-V-E with milk bottles!  I mean I have always loved them...but now I REALLY LOVE them ;-)  And I really need to get my hands on some of these, as they are just darling...

I love that there are so many ways in which you could use!  How sweet would these be filled with a signature cocktail, as above?  Or filled with flowers on a table?  Or to have a milk bar with chocolate, strawberry, etc...  Or milk for a cereal bar, or for serving up milk and cookies?  I also think they would be darling holding drink stirrers or little flags!  Stick a table number on a stick in a flower filled one and voila - simple and sweet table numbers (as seen in the Color Crave post)!  I would love them on a dessert table too - filled with licorice whips or suckers ;-)  As well as they would make darling favors, for your guests to take home, filled with candy or a variety of candies!  See loves - lots of ways to use.

And while I think the chicken stamp is DARLING, I would be oh so tempted to use a cow stamp if the bottles were going to have milk in them ;-)  I know cliche!  But still oh so darling ;-) 

~ Ciao

...photography by lauren michelle via follow studio

Color Crave Recreated: Shades of Beige & Soft White

Happy Thursday darlings!  Golly, the days and weeks are just flying by...can you believe we are going to be saying goodbye to September tomorrow, and hello to October on Saturday!  Really?  How can that be possible? 

Anyhoo, before I continue on about how time is flying by these days...I think it's best if I just jump right on into this post.  So if you didn't see the first post yesterday darlings, you can see it right here.  However, I have included some of the pictures to make it easier ;-)

Are you ready darlings?  Well let's start with some of the fabulous details first...

Recreated...

I LOVE the kraft paper roll escort area! I am not for certain that the tables and names are written in chalk, but since chalk was in one of the pictures I assumed it was.  Yet, if you would rather use a white pen then go right ahead darlings...as that is what I think I would prefer ;-)  How about those mini milk bottles with white paper straws?  Aren't they just too cute for words! Now the mini milk bottles are available, but they are $2.50 each and can be hard to find.  However if you love frapuccino - you could use the Starbucks Frappuccino bottles that come in a four pack at the grocery store for about $5.00 per pack (see and get them here). Then just soak off the labels and scrub off the date and viola - your very own milk bottles! Plus you could always save the frappuccino and use it at your event ;-)

Moving right along to the table decor...

Recreated...

A burlap sack would be a fabulous touch!  Especially if you find ones with great writing or designs on them.  The above ones I found are pretty simple, which is fine...but if you wanted to jazz it up a bit you could always stamp your own words on them.  Yet, you could just use a piece of burlap over the table!  I do like the sacks though, as they add an element of dimension, and for me they are reusable.  The piece of a branch at each seat is such a simple touch - but I love that you could easily add a name on a tag to it.  And almost any type of branch would work...and they are free.  To make your own circle though use a fresh branch that's still on a tree, wrap into a circle and then let dry.  The wooden cutlery is a great touch too (the above is under $70 for 250 sets).  Lots of wood and textures always make for a great table ;-)  How easy is that white twine?  But it adds such a great element, no?    And I have a lovely idea for twine coming up in my 'Handcrafted' post ;-)

And finally, my favorite, a couple of vintage pieces...

Recreated...

Yes, I love a touch of vintage!  How wonderful would homemade jam favors look stacked inside the milk crate?  And for the wood boards down the center of the table - well, old wood boards from a barn or fence would work just perfectly.  And I would love to see these wood boards on a bar area with drinks awaiting to be drunk...pretty but simple glasses filled with champagne or a cocktail would look lovely would they not? 

Between this Color Crave Recreated post, and the first Color Crave Recreated post I did last week - it just goes to show you that you can add a couple vintage pieces without having to have a full on vintage affair.  It's the mix that I love - old and new that work so well together.  Just like a relationship right?  The old one as boyfriend and girlfriend to the new one of husband and wife ;-) 

Hope you enjoyed this Color Crave Recreated darlings! It's always fun to play with ideas and see what you can create...this always gets thoughts swirling and twirling inside my head - which for me is a GOOD THING ;-)  Happy shopping!

The Shopping List:

1.  Kraft Paper Roll, 2.  White Chalk, 3.  Paper Straws, 4.  Milk Bottles, 5.  Cotton String, 6.  Burlap Sacks, 7.  Branches from your backyard or here, 8.  Disposable Wooden Cutlery, 9.  Metal Crate and 10.  Wood Boards

~ Ciao

...photography by lauren michelle, styling and design by follow studio & images via follow studio and once wed 

Who Says

...you can't serve up cinnamon rolls in pretty tins on a dessert table?

I L-O-V-E this idea my dears!  And you only need a couple vintage tins I think, the baking pans (like in the picture) would look cute too...plus, there's nothing like scooping up a cinnamon roll out of a baking tin ;-)

P.S. - Aunt Millie is known for her cinnamon rolls, and used to make them EVERY Wednesday while her kids were growing up...and still run a business from home!  Why don't I have a tradition like this...hmph.

~ Ciao

...THIS IS A COPYRIGHTED IMAGE...photography by lara rossignol originally for piewacket

Color Crave: Shades of Beige & Soft White

Wow, what a week it has been so far!  How has your week been going loves?

I attended the Rue Magazine Anniversary party on Monday night in San Francisco.  Yippee - had such an amazing time.  And was OVER THE MOON that I had the opportunity to meet Cassandra of Coco + Kelley, Anne of City Sage and Crystal of Plush Palate - and all Rue girls!  I also had the chance to meet the ever so stylish and fashionable Blair of Atlantic-Pacific too ;-)  All such lovely people...so kind and friendly and fashionable!  Oh, and the Niman Ranch sliders that they were offering up on the food truck were mighty tasty treats.  So thank you Rue for such a wonderful night.

Last night I spent the entire night working on projects, ideas, and a lot of behind the scene things like editing pictures and whatnot for Over The Moon Vintage Rentals' inventory page - along with taking care of some office stuff as well...so a super-duper productive night for me!  But I have to admit that I will be soooo tickled when all of my inventory is up on OTMVR's site.  I can handle adding a handful of new pieces each week, but trying to get all the inventory added is a heck of a lot of work and fairly time consuming ;-)  I miss filling my free time looking at blogs and making comments...as now all my free time is running to my storage unit, taking pictures, editing pictures, uploading pictures, yada, yada, yada...hehe!  However, that will hopefully change some time soon, and I will be back to commenting as usual...so bear with me a while longer please.  

So lots has been happening around here, and when that happens I crave light and calm colors like these lovely shades of beige and soft white... 

I cannot tell you how much I ADORE the roll of kraft paper with table numbers and names!  Such a fabulous escort area, no?  And to be honest - I would love to have a couple rolls...to really make a statement ;-)

Sweet simplicity...

With a little vintage...

And a little flag...

It's funny when life gets busy, I always want to surround myself in a clean, barely there palette!  It's like I have had enough busy, don't need anymore busy added to the mix with color...am I the only one that feels this way?  Probably, but then that just makes me...me ;-)

Check back tomorrow morning loves when I show you how to recreate this 'Color Crave' - yay, it's gonna be fun!

And a little side note to my niece, Madi Grace, who lost her first tooth yesterday - I hope the Tooth Fairy was extra good to you ;-)))  Love, xoxo's, sniffs and smoochies to the moon and back babygirl!

~ Ciao

...photography by lauren michelle, styling and design by follow studio & images via follow studio and once wed

Flowers of the Week: 9.26.11

Good Monday morning to you lovelies!  Did you have a fabulous weekend?  Tell me...what did you do?  My weekend was interesting - not necessarily in a bad or good way - just interesting!  I will share more with you in my next post coming up ;-)

But until then, I thought I would share the 'Flowers of the Week' with you.  Are you ready for some BREATHTAKING flowers to start off your day today?  Eeks...I sure do hope so lovelies because Oh My Goodness do I have some for you ;-)  Feast your eyes on this floral heaven...

And here is the reverse view...

Just as BREATHTAKING!  I am loving those fabric panels.  Now this is what I call OVER THE MOON, wouldn't you agree lovelies?  And I will give you one guess as to who is behind these flowers.  She's one of my faves, if not my fave florist!  You bet your buttons it's Flowerwild...she creates flower magic in my book ;-) 

Go ahead and hang out and stare for a bit...I did ;-)  See you back here soon lovelies!

~ Ciao

...images via flowerwild

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: 9.12.11

Good Monday morning loves!  So tell me - did you have a lovely weekend?  Do anything fun and exciting? 

I can honestly say that I am so HAPPY that it's Monday!  My weekend started off on the wrong foot on Friday, and continued to spiral fast and furiously out of control with the clicher, and I do me CLINCHER, happening Sunday evening.  I guess deep down I knew the clincher was going to happen sooner or later...I just wasn't quite ready for it this weekend on top of eveything else.  Aye, aye, aye is all I can say.  I won't even go into the details, but I will tell you that I SO need these gorgeously dreamy flowers this morning to start my Monday, and my week, off on the right foot...

Yes, this bouquet will most defintely do ;-)  I know not all weekends, or weeks for that matter, can be good ones.  It's weekends like this that ALWAYS make me really appreciate all the wonderful weekends I do have. 

Here's wishing you, and me, a lovely week my dears!  Let's make it a good one, shall we?

~ Ciao

...image via style me pretty

Who Says

...your bridesmaids can't carry ribbon bouquets?

I think this one is pretty fabulous, don't you?  And I L-O-V-E her cape too ;-)

~ Ciao

...photography by trent bailey via brooklyn bride

Tuesday Shoesday #38: On the Diagonal

In Yves Saint Laurent's black and white suede and patent leather wedges...

And with this black and white cake by Sweetapolita...

Eeks ~ how fabulous is this match up today my dears?  I love how the wedges are a mary jane...which adds a vintage vibe, yet they are still kind of modern.   As with the cake, it's the pearl detail that gives it a vintagey vibe.  And did you notice how the white on the shoes, pairs up perfectly with the white on the cake?  A match made in shoe/cake heaven, no?

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 & sweetapolita

Flowers of the Week: 8.29.11

Good golly - tell me it isn't so...there is absolutely no way possible that this is the last Monday in August!  Eeks, maybe I should be posting Fall flowers this week.  No, I am not ready yet...so it is just gonna have to wait until next Monday, when it is actually September and a bit closer to Fall.  Yes, that seems more appropriate, doesn't it?  However, I sure do have some pretty ones coming next week ;-)

And since I am NOT posting Fall flowers today, how about this swoonworthy bouquet to remind us how spectacular Summer really is...

So soft and pretty.  I love the textures in this bouquet too.  And you know those tendrils that spring out from the top, and even the one below by her bracet, well I love them!  I know some might not, but I oh so do.

Hope this adds some pretty to your Monday.  Wishing you a great one my dears!

~ Ciao

...photography by jen huang via ruffled

Geometric

Triangles have never looked so pretty...

Wouldn't you agree?  And while I am not usually a geometric loving girl, I do have to admit I love the clean simple lines and the color of these.

P.S. - I must be on a triangle kick...the teepee earlier, and now these...I guess it just a triangle kind of day!

~ Ciao

...photography by heather saunders via style me pretty

Tuesday Shoesday #37: Fabulous Feathers

For your feet...

And your cake...

I'll take both...how about you loves? 

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 saks fifth avenue & ruth drennan cakes

Guest Posting on The Loveliest Day

Hi darlings.  I wanted to let you know that I am guest posting for the fabulous Melissa on The Loveliest Day today...

Come see my easy DIY I craftedI  Here's a sneak peek for you...

Hope to see you there ;-)

~ Ciao

...images via the loveliest day & over the moon vintage rentals

Darling Detail No. 20: Posies at each Place

I adore posies...

I especially adore them at each place...

Darling, no?  Plus, I love the colors here - baby blue, white, cream and beige all make for a soft and serene color palette. 

And yep, that door knob is OVER THE MOON !

~ Ciao

...photography by jessica noelle via the wedding chicks