White

Color Inspiration: Red and White Stripes

in

cocktail photo via what katie ate, doodles via me, scene from Paris via Oh Happy Day, bicycle photo via Marc Jacobs ad

Although it's actually quite chilly here this morning*, colors like these get me all excited about the upcoming summer months. (Maybe it's due to the subtle 4th of July colors.)

*And because I've packed all of my "cool weather" clothes in an attempt to stay on track packing wise, don't be alarmed if you see me sporting random layers around Atlanta today.

Color Inspiration: Scarlet and White

in ,

you and me via here, heart doodles via me, vintage photo via here

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope you all are surrounded by love and warmth today. And maybe some glitter or sequins for good measure.

And for your enjoyment, here is a conversation between my sister and myself this morning:

Sister:"I'm sorry to call so early because I'm sure you're doing something uuber pookie like making heart-shaped pancakes."

Me: "Waffles."

Sister: "What?"

Me: "I'm making heart-shaped waffles."

Sister: "Of course you are."

Oh I love her. Have a great day everyone!

Color Inspiration: Strawberry Fields

in

courtney khail color inspiration strawberry fields

strawberries via tiny white daisy tumblr, open sign via personal collection, tent via party perfect

To me, strawberries are synonymous with summertime-and paired with crisp white and grass green nothing is more nostalgic. Makes me want to nap in a hammock, eat grilled corn on the cob and catch fireflies. Can you tell I was raised in the South? I would have added something about being barefoot, but that would just leave the door wide open for the jokes...

Happy first official day of summer!

color inspiration: blue, black and white (the 50's take)

in

ice cream cart via Sweet Lucies, for thunderbird via mr. t in dc, vintage phone via moS

There is something so incredibly retro and sweet about this shade of blue. Like if I looked outside I'd see a perfectly manicured lawn, a white picket fence and my steady boyfriend's ford thunderbird parked out front.*

*or a motorcycle if I happened to be dating the Fonz. Ayyy....

Color inspiration: Strawberry Lemonade and French Vanilla

in

vintage beach engagement photos via tim melido (found on green wedding shoes), bellini's via marthastewart, striped straws via oh happy day

Maybe it's the time spent at the beach, but I'm really loving the fuzzy vintage colors in these images. Everything kind of melds together and nothing is too vibrant or over powering. The reds aren't exactly red thanks to their orange-y tint (more of a strawberry lemonade/daiquiri color,) and the whites are more of a worn down cream (almost the exact color of homemade french vanilla ice cream.)

And can we please take a moment to admire Tim Melido's photo? Isn't it beautiful? (And p.s. her vintage bathing suit is amazing.)

Studio Sneak Peek: holiday party

in

copyright courtney khail stationery and design

Let's go ahead and not point out the fact that it's January 17th.. almost exactly one month AFTER this party took place and instead focus on the fact that it's red and white and therefore completely fits with the whole Valentine's Day theme. (Sounds a whole lot better than "Sorry I just got around to uploading this one, guys. I was snowed in all last week and instead of remembering I made mini snowmen like this one

(like the pipe cleaner? yea. me too.)

and watched a lot of bad tv. Speaking of which, is there really a show where brides compete for PLASTIC SURGERY?! What have we come to?! And if that wasn't bad enough, then the 4 brides compete for the "best wedding" show came on. It was about that time when I turned to magazines, only to be hit with "What was Prince Charles thinking when he gave his mother's ring to Kate?! Doesn't he know it's a symbol of a marriage filled with infidelity blah blah blah?" No people, I don't think that's what he was going for. Instead, I think he was thinking, "I want to marry this woman and I happen to also have this kick a** ring that not only is beautiful, but also is one of the only possessions I have left of my mom's. Because of all of that, I think the woman I love should wear it."* HONESTLY. The ring doesn't have to be a diamond to promise love and devotion and it's a little tacky to state in a magazine that it should be one.)

Anyhow, now that I've gotten that off of my chest back to the invitation.

Every year my sister throws a holiday party and this year I decided to help her out with invitations. We were under a tight time line (as in they needed to be designed, printed, assembled and mailed within 2 days) so hand painting was out and instead I tried to keep it as simple as possible.

Not sure my sister would agree that tying candy canes to each one was simple, but overall I think they came out great (despite a little discrepancy of colors between the string and the printing. Apparently no one else besides us noticed, but as I've said before, I'm a little neurotic when it comes to my work and therefore it kind of bugs me. But only a little or else I wouldn't share them.)

Hope you enjoy them!

Color Inspiration: black, white and grey

in

(images via apartment 34, simplesong, and unknown-please let me know if you have the info!)

January always reminds me of a black and white photo. Maybe because outside the weather is crisp and the landscape is dusted with snow, maybe because I associate NYE with black tie events or maybe just because there is a stillness to it after the whirlwind of the holidays. Either way, January always seems so quiet and calm to me- a perfect start to a fresh new year.

Simple rustic affair

in , , ,
row 1: photo via snippet and ink
row 2: elizabeth messina photo via oncewed, porcelain utensils via caroline swift, paper sack menu via sunday suppers row 3: , burlap fabric via the paris apartment, hanging postcards via design sponge, dress via the english dept

I know a (really) cold front has hit the majority of the country right now so many people are dreaming of sitting by a fire or playing in the snow, but I saw this top image on snippet and ink and haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Since I promised today's post would be "lighter" I figured an inspiration board based on this image was perfect.

This one is all about staying simple and rustic. A lot of natural elements (fresh herbs, the dirt

floors, exposed wooden tables) with touches of off white porcelain and simple laid back fabrics (like burlap and thin white cottons.) As the party goes into the night, I see a ton of twinkle lights hanging from the ceiling and tucked into the shrubs and a family style dinner of different pastas, bottles of red wine, and oven fired home made pizzas covering the tables.

Has anyone else noticed a shift to the "simple" for big events such as wedding? It seems as though more and more people are realizing that the day isn't about coordinated favor boxes and towering flower arrangements, and instead are holding tight to what really matters to them. Personally, I think it's wonderful!

Have a great day, everyone!