Cream

Color inspiration: Strawberry Lemonade and French Vanilla

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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.)

Color Inspiration: molasses, parchment and slate

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martha stewart caramels via ritzybee, landscape via wishfulfillment, dress photo via anna williams (found on city sage)

The snow here is still holding on tight (and by tight I mean it's turned to ice that even the DOT is having a hard time combating) so everything still has a beautiful stillness to it. (If you ignore the people who for some reason think their summer tires are good enough and that by living in Atlanta they somehow have mastered driving in snow. Come on people, you're not impressing anyone and kind of look like a jerk as you spin out and put others lives in danger. Okay, back to the point.)

So when I was coming up with today's color inspiration I wanted something warm and calming. We've had a fire burning pretty much constantly for the past few days and after it's out and we're heading to bed the charred wood has a beautiful slate green grey covering it. I decided to take that color (which impressively is the same color as a field covered with a frozen morning dew) and combine it with a luxurious chocolate brown (oh my gosh that dress is phenomenal) and the color of the parchment that covers homemade caramels (or homemade cookies as in my case) and this is what evolved. (I can almost hear the crunch of the thin ice under my boots and smell the wood burning.)

Stay warm everyone!

Simple rustic affair

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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!

Birch Wedding

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I got a message from one of my favorite college roommates* a few days ago saying that she'd had a dream that she got married and there were birch trees all around and thought it would be a good idea for me to write a post about. Well I couldn't agree more! I love birch trees. The bark is so beautiful and I love the clean lines of the trees. I think it's the perfect touch to incorporate into a fall or winter wedding and am so happy S decided to tell me about her dream. Hopefully this board will do it justice!

row 1: tablescape via bunnycakes, cake via oncewed
row 2: candle sticks via style me pretty, shrug via the english dept, Muscari birch ring "pillow" via Brides row 3: birchwood centerpiece via kurt cyr, birch vases via get married

*Not only is she just an awesome person, but we also took the same studio art classes together all summer long so I really got to know her better. We had only known each other for a semester when we decided to live together that summer but both wanted to stay in Athens for the summer so we just went for it and found an apt to sublease. Guess it was a little risky, and I can only speak on my part, but I'm happy we took the risk because she was such an awesome roommate! Now she's studying to be a nurse and I am so proud of her! She's going to do such an amazing job at it.

Rose, Stone and Cocoa

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I love this color combination- it reminds me so much of Paris. I know it's best suited for a fall or winter event, but I couldn't wait anymore to post it! Together these colors create an incredibly romantic and elegant feel that perfectly mesh together modern and traditional decor. I love the idea of a candlelit entrance as well as simple anemone touches in the centerpieces and on the cake. What do you think?

row 1: photo via simply seductive, invitation via green wedding shoes
row 2: monogram favor boxes via martha stewart, map boxes via absolutely beautiful things, cake via real simple
row 3: anemone centerpiece via green wedding shoes, candlelit entrance via fete

Another Italian feel...

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Well the last board just put me in an Italian mood so I hope you don't mind another! Not to mention how much I adore family style dinners (esp at weddings) but look at the view! The decor could definitely be left to a minimum with this type of venue. (Side note, I would love to have that as my backyard :) )

row 1: pear shaped sweets and escort cards with mini clothespins via instyle weddings, dress via the english dept
row 2: utensils via caroline swift, pelligrino bottle via flickr, gold rimmed glass via snippet and ink
row 3: photo via fete

Italian Summer Wedding

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I few years ago I studied art in Cortona, Italy (most famous to Americans for being the main location for the movie Under the Tuscan Sun) and that summer still holds some of my favorite memories. With this board I wanted to inspire the simple beauty found everywhere there. Country roads are lined with sunflowers or wildflowers, olive trees peak around every corner, and we can't forget the architecture! Even the colors of a quaint little villa are lovely. Anyhow, the main feeling of this one is that everything doesn't have to match perfectly and to take inspiration from the colors of the landscape. Centerpieces made from bouquets of wild poppies, tables filled with local wines, meats, cheeses, breads and sweets just waiting for a feast and conversation filled with talk of the World Cup (Italy won the year I was there!). Now that's the type of party I would want to be at! Enjoy everyone!

row 1: photo via snippet and ink
row 2: dress via nordstroms, party favors via oh happy day, almonds in teacup via real simple
row 3: bouquet via decor8, casablanca lace dress via snippet and ink

Espresso and Cream

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Chocolate brown is already such a dramatic color, but paired with various shades of cream it becomes even more luxurious and stunning. This board was inspired by a table Emily over at Once Wed posted about- Joy's centerpiece was absolutely breathtaking! I loved how she incorporated everything from candles and branches, to linen and crystals. This wedding would be perfect for the hopelessly romantic couple wanting to evoke a lot of glamour and romance to their party, esp if it was held in a place like this.

row 1: centerpiece via once wed
row 2: typewriter guest book via peonies and polaroids, earrings via emma alison, stationery via courtneykhail
row 3: photo via anna williams found on 100 layer cake, ring photo via red photo co found on snippet and ink, hairpiece by Marla J

Gold, Shell, and Mist

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With the weather finally starting to turn around here in Atlanta, I decided this was the perfect board to post. I was immediately intrigued with the top photo and wanted to create a wedding inspired by it. A wedding that captured the colors of the beach in the morning; grayish misty blues, the whites of bleached shells on the beach, the creams of the sand and of course the various golds created by reflected sunlight on the water. Hope you enjoy!

row 1: coast scene via darling dexter
row 2: "something blue" chocolate bar favors via amy atlas, doilie rose via sweet paul, ABS dress via saks
row 3: earrings via tara bacci, coral centerpiece via sweet paul

Paris Je T'aime

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Paris has to be one of my favorite places in the entire world. I love the fashion, the pastries, the art... everything. It's just such a fun place to be and there is never. ever. a dull moment. Favorite place ever was Montmartre. It's the last village of Paris where Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso all lived in late 19th/early 20th century and its streets are still filled with amazing artists displaying their artwork. Maybe that's why I loved it so much, it felt like home :)

On that note, I designed this board based off of my love for Paris and the type of feeling I think wedding there would have. A carefree elegance with a lot of cream, gold and navy accents- and of course amazing breads and pastries.

row 1: picnic basket via oh so RB, blue doors via flickr, outdoor cafe via classic bride

row 2: milk vase centerpieces via elizabeth ann designs, piko 1988 dress via ioffer, french pasteries via david lebovitz
row 3: Home and Garden outdoor patio via flickr, navy dress via jcrew, cream bicycles via air canada tours

Khaki and Green

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via veranda

I really liked how the khaki suit looked with the jcrew ties from yesterday, so I thought I'd continue the khaki and green theme today (that and I can't stop thinking about springtime.) I came across this image on the Veranda website today and fell in love. It's normally closed to the public, but wouldn't this be such a wonderful place to take pictures? The walkway alone would make for incredibly dramatic photographs!

Inside the house is just as opulent.

This table setting would be perfect for a preppy garden wedding. I'd swap out the chairs for these gold tiffany chairs as well as add more candles. If it was held outside, I think hanging chandeliers from various trees and creating lounge areas with white or cream couches and wooden or wrought iron tables would be beautiful as well! Enjoy!