Happy New Year - 2011

Happy New Year's Eve! What are everyone's big plans? I'm torn between a night in with an amazing dinner and bottle of champagne, or a cold but fun night out on the town. If I was having a party at home, this adorable DIY tinsel number garland would definitely be on display. 

from Martha Stewart 

Wishing you all a safe and happy new year! See you next week when I'll return to a normal posting schedule :)

Wednesday Shoesday

My apologies for the delayed Tuesday Shoesday post! I decided since it was late I'd better make it a good one. I know I'm on the hunt for New Year's Eve shoes (and an outfit to go with the shoes), and these babies scream 'pretty + girly' but with that gold heel they also say 'I like to party'.

The lovely shoe is the 'Kam Me' by Luichiny, and in addition to the blush color they also come in  beige/ivory, black, fuschia and red. And at $89 (with free shipping) these shoes are a gorgeous steal. 

Photo by Lisa Rigby via Style Me Pretty 

Real Wedding: A Snowy Wedding in DC

Since most of the country is buried in snow right now, what could be more appropriate to share than a snowy, wintry real wedding? An unexpected blizzard dumped snow on the day of the wedding, forcing a last minute ceremony venue change from DC's National Cathedral to The Cosmos Club, but the couple, their wedding party and their guests made a fun snow day out of it with boots, coats and umbrellas. And I have to say, the snowy scene made for some great pictures.

Images by Genevive Leiper Photography via Martha Stewart Weddings

Have A Very Married Christmas

Happy Holidays everyone! See you back here on Monday, December 27th. Today I'm wrapping presents and grabbing one or two last minute gifts, and tomorrow I'm hosting a Christmas Eve dinner at our house. On the menu: Cracked crab, Classic Roast Beef, Horseradish Cream, Roasted Potatoes, Blue Cheese Yorkshire Puddings, Green Beans with Mushrooms, Shallots and Hazelnuts and a Yule Log Cake to finish!  I'm so excited for my family and friends to open the gifts I got for them, its my favorite part of Christmas. I hope everyone has a very merry weekend filled with lots of sparkle and cheer :)

{photos from Hostess with the Mostess}

Pinecone Wedding Decor

I was so excited when one of the brides I am working said she would love to bring pinecones into the decor at her rustic lake wedding. I adore pinecones - they are readily available, free (thanks nature!) and can give your decor a natural look and amazing texture. Here's a little roundup of some of my favorite pinecone inspiration photos:

{Photos} 1, 2 & 4 from Kate Osbourne Photography, 3 from Martha Stewart Weddings, 5 via Ritzy Bee, 6 via Martha Stewart Weddings, 7 via Project Wedding.

27th Birthday Party

Today is my 27th birthday, and I'm not having a party-party but if I was this is what I would want it to look like! Confetti, champagne, lovely flowers, a ruffled cake and a fun dress with some killer heels. The husband is taking me out for a fancy dinner then we'll do cake (made by my awesome friend Nickol of Enlightened Patisserie) and cocktails with family and friends. We're having my fave cocktail - Juice of a Few Flowers with a two layer cake with lemon and pistachio cake (Oregon Duck colors) because I love my Ducks! :)

Sources: Clockwise from top left - table setting from Lonny Magazine, Peony dress from Q is for Quail, ruffle tower cake from Martha Stewart, shoe picture via Audrey Hepburn Complex, champagne from Martha Stewart Weddings, flowers from Coco + Kelly, champagne glasses picture by Charbeck Photography on Coco + Kelly, and pop up decor from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Inspiration Board: Joy + Delight

This board by Bianca is a Christmastime favorite of mine - I love the mix of nuetrals and white whites with pops of red. There are some fabulous DIY's and great ideas in this board - like the DIY 'Joy' lights, and the white doily and lights wreath is an easy + gorgeous DIY, and I adore wrapping presents in brown craft paper.

From Bianca: "Well I don’t know about you, but I am already in the holiday spirit! As much as I wanted to try and do something without using red, it’s just such a beautiful color and really symbolizes both the beauty of the season as well as our love for family, friends and fiances! Use pops of red throughout the naturally gorgeous winter whites and neutrals and let tradition guide, not deter, you."

Credits: Clockwise from top left - DIY 'Joy' lights on Martha Stewart, cherry dessert photo from Sunday Suppers, bird from Anthropologie, doily wreath DIY from Martha Stewart, craft paper wrapped presents from vol 25 on etsy, red dress from Antrhopologie, red centerpiece from Martha Stewart, red shoe photo via furious photographers, bride and groom photo by Carla Ten Eyck, red flower letterpress card from Ruby Press, cake photo from Ticings.

And speaking of 'Joy + Delight', I'm sharing our Christmas card with all of you since I can't send one to all my dear readers!

This sweet card has the cutest striped back and was from Invitation Consultants, hands down my favorite  Christmas Card we've sent out yet. Well, tied with our first Christmas card that said 'Have yourself a Married little Christmas' and had a pic from our wedding. :)

Glitzy + Rustic Winter Inspiration Shoot

Today feels like Christmas has come early and I have a present that I can't wait for you all to unwrap! This gorgeous winter inspiration shoot from Easy Dreamer Photography incorporates the glitzy, sparkly aspect of winter while also bringing in a natural and rustic element to keep it simple and chic. The color palette of copper, tarnished silver, old gold, winter greens and cream is heavenly, as is the bride's adorable vintage dress, sparkly shoes and woodsy bouquet. The adorable gift wrapped packages were inspired by this DIY on Style Me Pretty.

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Thank you so much to Megan of Easy Dreamer Photography for sharing this amazing shoot! 

Megan is based in Spokane, WA but will travel :)

Vendors:

Photography + Event Styling: Easy Dreamer Photography

Florals + Event Styling: Posey and Bloom

Makeup: ArtisticExpression

Vintage dress: Carousel Vintage Clothing

DIY project: Style Me Pretty

More Sparkly Holiday Inspiration

Because I can't get enough of this bright sparkly + shiny look for the Holidays (and I suspect you can't either), I'm sharing some more steal worthy inspiration for Holiday decor that will take you straight through New Year's!  I love any decor that is multi-purpose, and the holidays are always a busy time since I have my birthday thrown in the mix as well, so I think these ideas are extra perfect.

DIY sequin trees make for a sparkly table setting.

via Martha Stewart

DIY sequin styrofoam balls threaded with metallic ribbon make adorable napkin rings.

via Martha Stewart Living

A retro tinsel tree decorated with vintage ornaments is perfect for a table top or windowsill.

Martha Stewart Tinsel Retro Tree and Vintage Ornament Collection from Grandin Road

This is one of the cutest + easiest DIYs for a festive scene - mismatched wine, champagne and other glasses filled with different colors of sequins and a tall candle. I spotted a similar scene in Ann Taylor's store windows! via Martha Stewart Living

Hang glittered ornaments from a chandelier with bright satin ribbons.

from Domino Magazine via Brides

Sticking a fun stir stick into tall cocktail glasses adds some sparkle and flair to drinks at a holiday party.

via Martha Stewart Living

DIY glittered ombre bells are so retro, sparkly and fun.

via Martha Stewart