Happy Weekend + Retro Glam

{Photo by Neysa Ruhl via Style Me Pretty}

I hope you have a fabulous weekend, lovelies! I'll leave you with a hint for Monday's inspiration board: I just received "Roman Holiday" on Netflix. Until then!

The Last Emperor

{Photos from the Spring 2008 Couture Collection, Valentino's last, on Style.com}

Just saw Valentino: The Last Emperor with a few friends and loved it. Near the beginning of the movie he's quoted as saying "I love beauty... it's not my fault." Appropriate, since this is really what the rest of the movie is all about - his absolute focus on beauty and aesthetics and his unwillingness to allow anything else into his life. It's extravagant and funny and touching, and the behind-the-scenes glimpses of the sweat that goes into couture fashion - everything sewn by hand, a head seamstress who has worked with him for more than 30 years - are quite beautiful in their own way.

Lizzie's Bridal Shower

Seriously, you guys. This shower is super cute. Full of garden party loveliness, too {or porch party, as the case may be}. And guess what? It was sent in by a reader, Alyssa!

Let's back up a little, though. Remember this inspiration board?



Alyssa immediately fell in love with it. How about these garland instructions? They were for her. And she also decided to make my Valentine's Day chocolates as favors.

Alyssa has a gorgeous old home with an equally gorgeous front porch, so that's {naturally} where she decided to hold the party for her cousin Lizzie. Though she woke up to rain, the sun came out before the guests arrived.


{Isn't it wonderful that her front door matches the color scheme?}

Here are the garlands in action. Don't they look amazing?! Straight out of Country Living, I tell you.



And here are her favors. Alyssa - in excellent, adaptable DIY fashion - ended up wrapping them in fabric scraps left over from the bunting instead of paper like me. So proud.



The ladies munched on mushroom quiche, salad, fruit, and other delicious-looking nibbles, chatted, played games, and generally had a wonderful time thanks to their fabulous hostess. Well done, Alyssa!



You can surely tell how excited I am about this. Anyone else want to make my day and send along a lovely celebration you've planned or attended? {peachandpearl at ymail dot com... just saying.}

Alice Temperley Camps

And this is how she does it, apparently. I love the tent fabric and the ribbons waving from the top poles. Doesn't this set-up just make you want to while away hours doing nothing?

See more here.

Board No. 33: Old Glory

Here's one variation of a red, white, and blue board - a ceremony on a sailboat, a casual lobster boil reception at the bride's childhood home in Maine, and a simple + understated "tie the knot" theme. Choose darker reds, navier blues, and sun-bleached neutrals to keep this palette cohesive.

The Details:
First row, left to right: slip knot boutonniere photo by Stacey Kane from The Knot; sailboat photo by Adeline & Grace via Style Me Pretty; strawberry and blueberry dessert from Sweet Paul

Second row: boat locker portrait by Jenny Ebert; ribbons from Brides; programs via Bon Mariage

Third row: red-and-white striped bridesmaids photo by Stacey Kane from The Knot; bunting-draped house from The Cottage Nest's photostream; invitation detail by Ceci NY

Fourth row: lobster boil from Jupiter Images; sailboat escort cards by Belamour Design; raspberry cake photo by Anna Kuperberg via Black*Eiffel

I even work on the weekends! See what I can do for you here.

Monday, Monday + Memorial Day

{photo from tom saunders (uk)'s photostream}

God bless all those who have given their lives in service to our country, and those around the world who still stand ready to do the same.

Our weekly inspiration board {red, white, and blue this time!} will be posted tomorrow morning.

Happy Weekend + 2009

{Photo by moi}

Nos. 69, 71, + 72? Done, done, and done. What are you up to this weekend?

P.S. Thoughts on the new banner? Thumbs up? Thumbs down? It's okay, I can take it.

My new favorite...

...ice cream bowl. The petite bowl on top was recently gifted to me. I'm in love with the script - apparently it's from an old paint chip? - and the slip-cast porcelain is delightfully delicate. Snag your own set on Etsy from Gleena Shop.

Alissa & Ryan

Oh my oh my oh my. This is good. Very, very good. Any time Jose Villa and Lisa Vorce get together is good, but this time is especially good. Seriously.

This particular wedding has been floating around the blogosphere for the past few days, but I couldn't help sharing some of my favorite details on Peach & Pearl.

Such as? The antique pews used to seat guests at the San Ysidro Ranch. As heavy as they must have been to lug around, they really lend a nice sense of gravitas to the outdoor ceremony, don't you think? Programs were tucked into the backs of the pews, where hymnals would normally rest.



Such as? The bare, Edison-style lightbulbs hung over the cake table and used to light the reception.



The simple, dark wood, looooong reception tables. The faded Oriental rugs scattered under tables and lining the ceremony aisle.



The lavender fields for portrait frolicking. The muted ribbons hanging from the back of every chair {how long must that have taken?!}.



The authentic tumbleweeds used as decor. Who even knew there was such a thing as an "authentic" tumbleweed, you might ask. Apparently Alissa's father shipped 15 hand-selected bunches from the family ranch in Texas. I'm in love.



I could go on. Obviously.

{See the rest of the lovely details starting here on Style Me Pretty.}

Interview Outfit

It seems like it's interview season, doesn't it? I've got one coming up down south. The company's vibe is professional and put together + also fashionable and fun. I don't want to wear my full suit because I'm afraid it might be too much and I know I would be sweltering. My plan is to wear the skirt {navy, high waist pencil, nubbly material}, my white Jackie cardigan, a silk-ish blouse, and cute shoes.


{Click to enlarge!}

I'm eying two J. Crew blouses at the moment - the solid silk garland cami {shown above in white sand} and the silk georgette pleated tank {I would order it in light pewter}. The garland cami is $60 and the pleated tank is $40. So my questions for you, dear readers, are as follows:

No. 1) Which top do you like better?
No. 2) If you like the garland cami better, which color should I order it in - white sand or light pewter?
No. 3) Can you help me find some cute shoes that work with this palette? Because CLEARLY these Augusta peep toes are not in my budget {even at 30% off}. And something tells me peep toes are a little too casual for an interview, anyway. Even though I would love them for the rest of my days.

Thank you thank you!

Vintage Engagement Shoot

Love this engagement shoot spotted in the Weddingbee Gallery. Love the car, too. Not only is it vintage inspired, it's inspired by Miss Julie Rae's own grandparents {that's them on the left in the bottom photo}.

All photos by Cheyenne Schultz Photography {except the original, obviously}.

Rosecliff: The Party!

How's this for a late evening post? It only seems appropriate for the recap of a late-night event. As many of you know, last week J and I mingled, ate, and danced {and danced and danced and danced} at our Rosecliff Ball!

It was a magical evening, to say the least. We had a loyal entourage follow us around for a bit before we left so I got some good shots to share with you all {I apologize in advance for the mild narcissism that follows}. Click any of the images for larger versions!

Let's start with my dress. Is it what you were picturing? J is looking very James Bond in his bow tie, no? Contrary to its appearance, my dress was very easy to walk in due to its stretchy fabric. Here we are doing our best Vogue impression:



Here you can see my hair - I asked the stylist for a combination of Carrie Underwood's loose, side-swept bun {from this post} and the braid from Mrs. Bee's up do. I loved how it came out. You can also see that I went with the longer earrings and the simple Dogeared necklace I wear every day.



You all know I was worried about my makeup, and some of you had fabulous suggestions {thank you for those!}. Here's what I ended up using, in case it helps someone else:

--Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Vanilla
--Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Natural Radiance Bronzer {on cheekbones}
--Mary Kay Blush in Pink Meringue {on apples}
--Rimmel Cool Touch Shadow in On Ice {on lid and up to browbone}
--Revlon Wet/Dry Shadow in Hot Cocoa {in crease}
--N.Y.C. Brow/Eye Liner Pencil in 925A {I've been using this forever, just on the bottom lid.}
--Lash curler and Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Dark Brown {upper lashes only}
--Blistex Lip Medex
--Wet n' Wild Creme Lipliner in Brandywine/666 {apparently this has a cult following?}
--Mary Kay lipstick in Pink Ice









Thank you all for accompanying me on this adventure - I wish I could go to a ball every week! I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. I do have one more Rosecliff post to come, so stay tuned.

{And a BIG thank you to Alyssa + Melissa + Heather for taking the majority of these photos!}

Previously:
The Location
The Dress
The Hair
The Jewelry
The Face
The Accessories

Board No. 32: Fiesta Afternoon

{Click to enlarge!}

This board for a summer afternoon wedding was inspired by the J. Crew shoe array in the top left corner {side note: don't they photograph their shoes so beautifully for the catalog?}, but the center-of-the-square fountain next to it really set the theme for me. I'm digging the slight Mexican flare, which I think is coming from the color combination of satsuma orange, pale peach, and sand, as well as the sandalwood fans, the long, fluttery ribbon flags, and the fluffy chrysanthemums floating in the fountain. Guests waving mini versions of these would make a cute and eco-conscious send-off at the end of the celebration.

The Details:
First row, left to right: ballet flats from J. Crew; fountain & flags and bouquet photos by Meg Smith

Second row: sorbet cups by Canelle et Vanille; favor boxes by Martha Stewart Weddings; lacy details cake photo by Real Photography via Once Wed

Third row: bride with bouquet photo and sandalwood fan photo by Meg Smith; passed drinks photo by Jose Villa; parasol basket photo by Meg Smith

Having a wedding? Throwing a party? Not feeling inspired? Let me help!

Monday, Monday + Teacups

Now that I finally have some free time {just a little bit!}, I'm excited to try my hand at some more projects. This teacup chandelier to start: isn't it darling? The muted but not overly sweet colors make me swoon - I'm picturing it in a shaded side porch or a petite washroom.

P.S. Not feeling brave enough to attempt this on your own? Got $950 to burn? You can pick one of these babies up on Etsy, instead.

{By Domestic Construction via Design Milk}

Later this week: an inspiration board, an interview outfit, a little crafty craft, and - oh yes! - Rosecliff photos!

Happy Weekend + Adirondack Chairs

{Photo by moi}

Happy weekend, lovelies! Life is quite busy in the Peach & Pearl household right now - I'll be back next week with more regular posts, promise! Until then, pull up a chair and take some time to relax for me, okay?

My new favorite...

...bag. Ohhhhh, it's lovely. The leather looks so soft and buttery, doesn't it? This baby's sold out but the shop is offering it in a few different colors right now. Handmade in the Netherlands. Check it out here.

All together now: sighhhhhh.

J. Crew Inspiration

I love seeing the workspaces and inspiration of others. J. Crew has a beautiful slideshow up right now featuring a behind-the-scenes view of a few of their designers. Check it out here.

Rosecliff: The Accessories

So way back when, at the start of this series, I promised to put together a sophisticated, classic look on a budget. This week, "budget" became the operating factor. To find accessories to complement my dress, I did a whole lot of shopping in my closet {something I highly recommend!}, with a little bargain-store hunting thrown in for good measure. Here's what I found.

On the left, you'll find my perfume of choice: Lovely by SJP. As you can see, I haven't used very much, as I try to save it for special occasions {such as a fancy mansion black-tie ball}.

On the right, we have my sparkly silver dancing shoes. They're comfortable, they're already broken in, and they make it so that my dress doesn't need to be hemmed. Done and done. I bought them a few seasons ago at Macy's, so I doubt they're still being sold, but as you can see the brand is Rampage.



If you know me, you know I have a slight bag addiction. I'm not even sure what I bought this clutch for originally, but it's cute and it fits the color scheme.



I know I told you I was buying one of three pairs of earrings from White Aisle, but by the time I remembered I would actually need to place an order if I was ever going to receive them in time to wear, I would have had to use expedited shipping. Budget, remember? So it was off to Kohl's for me, where I picked up these two shiny pairs for about $15 each {no shipping necessary!}. I'm going to try both of them on once I get my hair done before I make a decision on which one's the keeper.



Possibly my favorite accessory is hiding in the middle of this last photo: red polish for my toes! I read somewhere once Jackie O said you should always have pale pink polish on your fingernails and red polish on your toenails. I think I agree. The NYC shade shown here is my go-to color {I think it's 211A?}.



Stay tuned for next week's post, where I'll reveal how all this inspiration came together!

Previously:
The Location
The Dress
The Hair
The Jewelry
The Face

Board No. 31: Lilacs in Spring

{Click to enlarge!}

I know you're probably getting sick of looking at all the green boards I've been posting lately, but I like to think this is spring working its magic on me - everything outside my window is in bloom, and I wanted to bring a little of that into Peach & Pearl.

This wedding is centered around one simple flower: lilacs. With their sweet, heady smell drifting through the air, you hardly need anything else to create a wonderful ambiance, but add in some silver, white, and gray accents to keep things sophisticated. And if you can celebrate at a Provence estate {top middle}, all the better!

The Details
First row, left to right: vintage coupe glasses for a champagne toast by Eddie Ross; French estate via Classic Bride; lilac bouquet photo by Punam Bean via Style Me Pretty

Second row: vintage carriage by Martha Stewart Weddings; hydrangea-lined aisle by Martha Stewart Weddings; cake on vintage pedestal via Classic Bride {photo by Look Photography}

Third row: lilac centerpiece photo by Punam Bean via Style Me Pretty; cork heart via 100 Layer Cake; lavender pocket square by Martha Stewart Weddings; garden party photo by Lisa Hubbard

Yes, I love making inspiration boards. And yes, I'd love to make you one. See more here.

P.S. Want to see a real lovely lilac wedding? Click here, here, and here.

Monday, Monday + Lilacs

{Photo by Punam Bean}

I love lilacs, don't you?

If my Mom were answering that question, the reply would most definitely be yes. In honor of her (and Mother's Day, one day late), today's inspiration board is all about these pretty blooms. Coming up soon!

P.S. I did climb a mountain yesterday! (But just a little one...)

Happy Weekend + Cousins!

Am I a lucky girl or what? I now have not one but two engaged cousins! For someone who loves weddings as much as I do, that is exciting news. So happy for you, ladies! I also just found out that Meghan + Luke will be working with the whitebox weddings team for their big day. You may remember that I love these ladies. Above, a photo from M + L's engagement shoot {see more here}.

This weekend? I may or may not be climbing a mountain... I'll let you know how it turns out.

Plastic

So I don't usually go in for the whole large and plastic and lit-up thing. But these initials? Oh yeah. The couple, Chris & Kelly, snagged them from a Blockbuster that was going out of business and set them up at their Palm Springs wedding reception. I am in love with the whole swanky/fresh/Hollywood hotel vibe they've got going on.

Other reasons why I love this wedding:
1) The guests threw pom poms instead of confetti as Kelly & Chris walked back up the aisle.
2) Connect 4 boards were set up tournament-style at the cocktail hour.
3) Succulents.
4) The guests left at the end of the night jumped into the pool. Oh yes they did.

See the rest here, here, here, and here. All photos by the talented Erin Hearts Court.

Schooled

This is a dorm room. Its resident is a senior at Drew University. He owns his own interior-design firm and says things such as "I was mad for it." I particularly enjoy the bank of ties in the upper left corner of the first photo.

Thanks Oh Happy Day and Brilliant Asylum! As seen in NY Mag.

Board No. 30: Bread and Olive Oil

{Click to enlarge!}

Laptop still on the fritz = me reposting this lovely little board I made for Rock 'n Roll Bride a few months ago.

For this wedding, I imagined an intimate, sit-down dinner with your closest family and friends that could be held just as easily in a loved one's backyard or the patio of your favorite restaurant. Keep things simple and handmade with potted herb favors, a hosta and lady slipper bouquet, breadstick and olive oil centerpieces, pigs in a blanket at the cocktail hour, and a short, sassy dress for the bride.

The Details:
First row, left to right: patio tablescape from Blueprint; bride and groom from Brides; escort cards via Style Me Pretty

Second row: bread and olive oil centerpiece via Style Me Pretty; lady slipper bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings; greenery archway photo by Melissa Schollaert via Snippet & Ink

Third row: lemonade in punch bowl from Brides; lantern dinner party via Black*Eiffel

Fourth row: pigs in a blanket photo by Thorsen Photography via Weddingbee; potted herb favors from Brides; buttercream hydrangea cake photo by Leigh Miller

Like this board? Check out other green and white inspiration boards here and here. Really like this board? Work with me to design your own! See more here.

The Island

{Photo by J}

Because I have nothing but pretty pictures for you until my computer gets back on its feet, and because today I {completed? underwent? endured?} my thesis defense, here is a photo taken from one of my favorite spots in the entire world. Enjoy!

{P.S. That's not entirely a non-sequitur: my thesis has a lot to do with this particular place!}

Technical Difficulties

{Hydrangeas on Block Island, RI, photo by moi}

Monday posts coming just as soon as my computer problems are straightened out... hopefully this evening or tomorrow morning. Until then!

Happy Weekend + Bookshelves

{from the now sadly defunct Domino}

Aren't those bookshelves lovely? And that tufted couch? I love the mix of creamy, pale shades in this room - in fact, it kind of reminds me of this inspiration board. Also love that little topiary sitting on top of the books and magazines. I always appreciate a decor that incorporates stacks and stacks of magazines, because I know I love to have back issues readily at hand for a quick flip.

Happy weekend, lovelies! See you back here next week for a board and maybe a DIY? We'll have to wait and see...