Happy Weekend!

Tomorrow is my birthday! I'm going out for Indian and cheesecake with friends {yummmm, even though those don't necessarily go together}. I would also be very happy if someone made me that cake with long, skinny, aqua blue taper candles...

Have a lovely weekend, all! See you back here on Monday for a special inspiration board and an introduction to my newest venture.

Until then...

{Image c/o Karl Juengel via Oh Happy Day}

A Shower By Any Other Name...

We have some more reader mail! Today's question comes from Marget, J's sister. She's a bridesmaid at a friend's wedding this summer, and is helping to plan a couples shower at a park in June. She writes:

"Actually, invitations have proved tricky - the groom is against any use of the word 'shower' because he finds it emasculating. I've found some very cute shower invitations, but you don't have the option of editing all of the text. Short of getting formal custom invitations, we'd still like to have personal invitations printed."

I spent some time browsing through my favorite invitation designers, and have come up with a few options. All prices include envelopes, they are all flat-printed, and all text is completely customizable (and most of the colors are, as well). Here they are, from least expensive to most.

Wedding Paper Divas is an unbelievable site for inexpensive, high style invites.


Solid Monogram Signature (25 cards and 35 envelopes for $33.50)


Budding Branches (25 cards and 35 envelopes for $34.75)


Rich Floral (25 cards and 35 envelopes for $33.50)


Modern Dots (25 cards and 35 envelopes for $33.50)

Up next: Minted! Another one of my favorite invitation options, this site aggregates some of the most talented boutique designers and presents them in one easy-to-navigate spot, Minted.com.


Opera invitation by Cococello (25 cards and 25 envelopes for $67)


La Fete invitation by Oscar + Emma (25 cards and 25 envelopes for $65)

Finally, we have Hello! Lucky. I've always admired their stunning letterpress invites, so was incredibly excited to see them debut a line of digitally-printed pieces. Note: These are all wedding invitations, but because the text is fully customizable, they can easily become shower invitations.


New York City Skyline invite (25 cards and 35 envelopes for $93)


Visit New York invite (25 cards and 35 envelopes for $93)


Oak invite (25 cards and 35 envelopes for $93)


Home Sweet Home invite (25 cards and 35 envelopes for $93)

And this is just a small sampling from each of these sites! There are so many more designs to choose from, and, because most of the designs here are available in at least four different color combinations, the possibilities really are endless.

Lastly, after just a little bit of searching, I came up with a few non-traditional options for invitation wording.

"The pleasure of your company is requested at an event in honor of ___ and ____"

"Please join us in showering ___ and ____ with love and best wishes at a party in their honor"

"We would be delighted if you would join us at a party in honor of ____ and ____"

"The bridesmaids of _____ and _____ invite you to a party in honor of their marriage" (Careful, the "their" could get a bit confusing here!)

I hope this helps!

Handle & Spout

Loving these fluffy, ruffly confections.



{via Oh Happy Day and Once Wed}

They remind me of these pins from J. Crew.

P.S. I also love Handle & Spout's headbands. Purchase hair pins here and headbands here.

My new favorite...

...pitcher. This one is from Crate and Barrel, stainless steel, 96 ounces, $30. Check it out here. I would use it for serving drinks, of course, but also for holding flowers. I think the juxtaposition of industrial stainless steel and ruffly peonies would be quite nice, don't you? I also like this one and this one at C&B, but glass and stoneware seem easier to find at thrift stores and flea markets.

Board No. 18: Classic Summer Navy

This board is for Kristin, a friend of a friend. I may have some of the details she's decided on wrong {because I heard them secondhand} but I believe she's planning a July wedding in upstate New York with a palette of navy, white, and gray. To that, I added cream and a silvery blue. I believe the reception is in a sort of glass conservatory, which led me to imagine a classically elegant, fabulously stylish celebration. Add a towering, snowy white cake to the mix, and you've got a seriously chic celebration on hand. Tweak a few details and this palette could work for winter, as well.

The Details:
First row, left to right:
The photo that started it all, via perfect bound. This fantastic image is a great reminder to pencil in enough time for portraits. A grand, open space begs for large scale arrangements, and a black-tie event wants for something chicer than balloons. Bare manzanita branches and sterling lanterns fit the bill {photo by Our Labor of Love}. Sleek navy dresses can be mixed and matched and still maintain a formal feel {dress from Priscilla of Boston's Vineyard Collection via Style Me Pretty}

Second row:
I can't think of anything more chic at the end of the night than slipping away in a cream vintage car {from J. Crew via simplesong}. Simple calligraphed boxes serve dual duty as both favors and place cards {Martha Stewart Weddings}. They don't have to sport a big name to be hugely chic, but you can't go wrong with Manolo Blahnik sandals {photo by Our Labor of Love}.

Third row:
This photo by Tim Evan Cook largely inspired this board's color palette: its shades of navy, cream, white, blush, and silvery blue seemed irrestistably stylish yet understated to me. Luxurious engraving, delicate flourishes, and rich navy ink set the tone for an elegant evening in this invite by Ceci New York. Traditional calligraphed table numbers bring the elegance into the reception {from carmelscribe's photostream; calligraphy by Jane Farr}. Serve white-peach sangria either before the ceremony or during cocktail hour. Blackberries are a tasty garnish {Martha Stewart Weddings via Snippet & Ink}.

Fourth row:
Skip the more common exit photo op and light the sparklers during dessert. White-tie waiters hoisting small cakes overhead add considerable excitement at the end of the night {Fete}. Neatly painted river rocks add a natural element to an otherwise opulent table setting {Martha Stewart Weddings}.

Monday, Monday

Quiet start to my Monday morning and this photo, from one of my newest favorite photographers, seemed appropriate. Inspiration board coming up next!

{Photo by whitebox weddings}

Happy Weekend!

{c/o Jena Ardell}

I'm going thrifting this afternoon. This picture makes me want to find a red rotary phone, bring it home, put on a polka dot dress, and call up a long distance friend.

Have a lovely weekend! See you back here on Monday for a classically elegant summer wedding board.

Please, Mr. Postman

I love getting mail. I'm sure you love getting mail, too {who doesn't, I ask?}.

Which is why I was so excited when Sarah, of Things Are Better With a Parrott, emailed me about her newest venture, Press and Post. {Remember the calendar I ordered from her?} Sarah writes: "As a Press and Post participant, you will receive one limited edition letterpress card, at least two, often more, vintage postage stamps, and one kraft envelope - a pretty little package to drop in the mail."



Here are a few more reasons this is perfect for me: you already know I love vintage stamps, and you may remember that I have a goal {no. 10} which involves the postal system. I'm sure you all have reasons of your own to fall in love with Sarah's idea!

I enjoy hearing about exciting new ventures Etsians are trying, and Press and Post is no exception. You can sign up for one month, three months, sixth months, or one year. A subscription would also make an elegant and thoughtful gift for a friend - and maybe, if you're lucky, said grateful friend would send one of her monthly notes to you!

Today I Love...

shingles. I hope you do, too.


{c/o Architectural Digest}


{c/o Architectural Digest}


{c/o Architectural Digest}


{c/o Architectural Digest}


{c/o Architectural Digest}


{c/o Architectural Digest}


{c/o Architectural Digest}


{c/o Coastal Living}


{c/o Architectural Digest}


{c/o Coastal Living}


{c/o Architectural Digest}

I miss summer...

Which one is your favorite?

From Me to Yoo

The styling of Jenny Yoo's Spring 2009 Maid's collection is so fresh and chic. I would never wear so large a poof, but I love how they look paired with the simplicity of Yoo's designs.

See more here.

Short Dress Brides

Inspired by the lovely Mrs. Onion from Weddingbee and her recent short dress post, I thought I'd share some of my favorite short wedding dress inspiration with you. If I have it, I've included the dress information below.

First up, Mrs. Onion herself. I loved everything about her wedding, but especially the kiss portrait on the left. How cute is she?


{Photos by Daria Bishop, dress by Romona Keveza Legends}

As you will soon see, I am a sucker for the sweetheart neckline...


{Photos by Gandy Photographers via Southern Weddings and the Gandy Photo blog}

...as well as the fascinator/flower combination.




{Photos by Kelli Cohee via Once Wed, dress by Priscilla of Boston - Drew}

Check out the rainbow crinoline on this next number:


{Photo by Aaron Delesie}

My favorite thing about short dresses? They let you highlight sassy shoes, like the orange heels in the two photos below.


{Photo by Amelia Lyon Photography via Weddingbee PRO, dress is from David's Bridal but it was seriously altered}


{Photo by Anne Ruthmann via Weddingbee PRO}

I'm curious - would you ever consider wearing a short wedding dress? If you wore a short dress for your wedding, send it my way - I'd love to see!

Board No. 17: St. Valentine's

{Click to enlarge!}

Two days late for Valentine's Day, but because I'm a proponent of celebrating love every day (not just on February 14), this seems appropriate. Jenifer Altman's photograph of love notes crammed in to soft leather pouches was my inspiration for this board, but I had a really hard time with this one, because as lush and gorgeous as pink and red are together, they risk veering into a big romantic cliche.

What do you think - does this board work? Or have you had your fill of pink and red for the year? Would you use this palette for a wedding, or should it only inspire, say, Valentine's Day parties?

The Details (No elaboration this week.)
First row, left to right:
Love-letter filled pouches photo by Jenifer Altman, ruffly centerpiece by Artfool; meringue heart ice cream sandwiches by Martha Stewart

Second row, left to right:
Slip dress by Martha Stewart, vintage stamps from The Little Chicken Coop, favor pouches by Papier Valise's flickr via Creature Comforts

Third row, left to right:
Bouquet by Martha Stewart, lounge area by Brides, leather books photo by Laurie Frankel

Fourth row, left to right:
Ephemera from perfectbound's flickr; blooms from danske's flickr, dresses from Martha Stewart

Monday, Monday

Bright and cheery orange to start the week off right. I think it's going to be a good one, don't you?

{Dress from Coco + Kelley, bouquet from Artfool}

Bow Wow

This Bow Tie Cupcake was my favorite part of the February Martha Stewart Living. I must find an occasion to make a batch as soon as possible.

See the recipe here.

Olive You

You've seen the valentines I made for my close-by friends. Now here's what I'm sending to those far away!