Friday, July 31, 2009

Happy Weekend + Cotton Candy


{Dessert buffet photo by Karen Mordechai via Style Me Pretty}

I know we were cut a bit short this week, but you've got to give me credit for delivering three inspiration boards, right? Thank you all so much for giving me your thoughts on Peach & Pearl yesterday - it was fascinating for me to read, and I can't wait to sit down and sort through the results a bit more {by the way, if you haven't already, please let me know what you think here!}.

Another inspiration board on Monday, the rest of my travel adventures after that, and I think a little apartment sneak peek is in order for sometime next week, don't you? Perhaps a fun project, as well.

Have a lovely weekend, friends!

Summer Travels: Amish Country, Ohio



















First stop in my summer travels of a few weeks ago: Amish Country, Ohio.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Board No. 42: Amber in Connecticut


{Click image to enlarge!}

This last board I put together for Amber and Mark is for a summer seaside wedding at a romantic old mansion in Connecticut. I took Amber's purple palette and added to it all of the colors you see in hydrangeas, from light pink, to deep pink, sky blue, and teal. I was also inspired by the deep, rich berry tones of summer, of raspberries and blueberries and blackberries - I think they would make adorable favors set out in vintage crates. Large square tables set out under old oaks dripping with chandeliers, vintage silverware and linens mismatched at each place setting, and mini chalkboards with the evening's menu written on them complete the look.

One last thing to consider: each of these palettes could work, more or less, for each of the three locations Amber and Mark are considering. So tell me: which one is your favorite? Which one would you pick, if you were making the decision?

The Details
First row, left to right: table settings from Napa Valley Celebrations; berry crates photo by Corbin Gurkin from {Duet Weddings}; shoe photo from the Weddingbee Galleries

Second row: chandelier table photo from Domino Magazine; vintage silverware photo by Corbin Gurkin from {Duet Weddings}; chalkboard centerpiece photo by Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty

Third row: macarons in cut glass photo by Corbin Gurkin from {Duet Weddings}; wine photo via Style Me Pretty; hydrangea bouquet photo by Sugar Love via Classic Bride; confetti getaway from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board No. 41: Amber on the Vineyard


{Click image to enlarge!}

This is the board I put together for a summer wedding on Martha's Vineyard. I wanted to keep things light, clean, classic, and crisp, with a little bit of prep and a whole lot of hydrangeas thrown in for good measure. Amber and I talked about one venue she and Mark were considering, a historical home, and so I ran with that. I also added in a subtle lavender theme, with lavender bundles serving as favors at place settings and escort cards nestled in lavender seeds at the entryway to the reception. A cake buffet, milk glass centerpieces, a short dress (ooo la la!), and a vintage car getaway complete the picture in my head.

The Details
First row, left to right: gate photo by Vue Photography via Southern Weddings; bridesmaid photo via PDX Bride; lantern porch from Martha Stewart Weddings

Second row: cake buffet photo by Our Labor of Love via Once Wed; historic home from Martha Stewart Weddings; lace favors from Livia Cetti

Third row: hydrangea pails lining church aisles from Martha Stewart Weddings; vintage car getaway photo from Martha Stewart Weddings; shoe photo by Jonathan Canlas

Fourth row: lavender place setting photo by Leigh Miller; lavender escort card bed photo by Laurie Arons via Snippet & Ink; lavender escort cards from Martha Stewart Weddings

Board No. 40: Amber in the Caribbean


{Click image to enlarge!}

Amber is my lovely cousin who's marrying Mark next summer. They're deciding between a destination wedding in the Caribbean, a wedding on Martha's Vineyard, and a wedding at a mansion in Connecticut {tough choice, right?}. She asked me to put together three separate boards to try and help the two of them sort out their options.

This is the board I put together for the Caribbean. The good and bad part of a destination wedding is that you are pretty much forced to be laid-back about the details. You can only transport so many extras down in your suitcases, and you can only visit the site or talk to the coordinators so many times. With that said, I tried to keep things light and easy. Lilac lanterns are lightweight and easily packable. Asking for a simple buttercream cake will ensure that your sketches aren't misinterpreted by the baker. Gray suits for the groom and his men and different dresses in a range of shades for the ladies would be easy to coordinate from afar. And parasols are a perfect island touch.

The Details
First row, left to right: tropical destination photo by Photo Phil via Weddingbee; lanterns photo by Justin & Mary Marantz via the Little Black Book Blog; votives from Brides

Second row: mismatched maids photo by Sugar Love via Classic Bride; cake from Country Living; lavender invitation suite by Bird and Banner

Third row: sandals photo by Our Labor of Love; favor boxes from With This Ring (she even includes the DIY instructions!); gray suit portrait by Jonathan Canlas

Fourth row: tulip bouquet from Blue Sky Weddings; groomsmen attire photo by Photo Phil via Weddingbee; parasol portrait by Photo Phil via Weddingbee

Thursday, Thursday + A Survey

That's right, Thursday, Thursday, not Monday, Monday. If you hadn't noticed, posting has been a bit erratic over here at P&P HQ lately.


{Photo c/o Whitebox Weddings}

And that's what I wanted to talk about today. Some things have changed in my life {new job, new state, new apartment... you know the drill}, and they've made me take a look at why we all come here to Peach & Pearl. I come because I love sharing with all you lovely readers what I find, what I love, and what projects I'm working on. I want to keep sharing these same things, but because my schedule is a bit more crunched than it was previously, I want to be more intentional about what I post.


{Photo c/o whitebox weddings}

I'm so grateful for all you lovely readers, and I want to make sure I keep all of the things that you love about P&P. If you wouldn't mind taking a few minutes to comment and tell me what your favorite features are, that would be smashing.

So let's hear it! Do you love...

...seeing real weddings?
...inspiration boards?
...reading about my goals or my travels?
...or how about my personal projects?
...getting DIY instructions?
...fashion and beauty?
...seeing how I prep for holidays and celebrations?
...home and garden inspiration?
...paper and design?
...something else?


{Photo c/o D. Jones Photography via Style Me Pretty}

Because I know there are a few of you out there who still aren't sure how to comment, a quick tutorial:

Click on either the title of the post or the "comments" button at the very bottom of the post.

Type your comment into the box at the end of the post.

If you have a Gmail account (or a Google account) type in your username and password. Same goes for any of the other platforms. If you don't have an account for any of those platforms, choose the "Name/URL" option, then type in your name and your URL (if you have one; if you don't, then leave it blank).


That's it! Thanks in advance!

And coming up, not one, not two, but THREE inspiration boards!! That's right, three different boards I designed for one lucky lady. Check back soon!

P.S. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your thoughts here, I would love for you to email me at peachandpearl {at} ymail {dot} com.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Happy Weekend + Sunflowers


{Image from LMD Events}

It's hard to be sad when you're looking at a sunflower, isn't it? It's also hard to be sad when your apartment is filled with the smell of warm chocolate chip banana bread... nom nom nom. Next week I'm going to ask you all (or would that be y'all now?) some questions about P&P, so if you would be so kind as to start thinking about what you love about this little blog, what you could leave, and why you come to visit everyday (or not!), that would be oh so lovely.

Have a fantastic weekend, friends!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Uniqlo Neutrals



I never really remember Uniqlo as a good source for clothes (probably because I've never seen one of their stores in real life), but they have some chic offerings. Some bold, chunky jewelry in punchy red or teal would look great with these neutrals, non?

See more here.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Two Projects

In between moving and starting a new job, I completed two small (or small-ish) projects: calligraphed escort cards for a wedding, and a birthday card for J.









What do you think?

Monday, July 20, 2009

Bear with me...

Good evening, sunshines! So sorry for the delayed posting, but I'm afraid it will continue for a bit this week as I unpack, start my new job, and navigate a spotty internet connection. Can't wait to share more about our new place and my travels of a few weeks ago, so check back soon!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Happy Weekend + Bouquet


{from Utterly Engaged via Creature Comforts}

I'm working on a set of inspiration boards for my cousin, and this bouquet might just make it into one of them {what do you think, Amber? :) }. My weekend will be spent unpacking all those boxes I packed just a few short days ago... is it weird that I'm kind of excited about that?

What do you have planned?

Ikea + victory





One of the purchases we've made for our new apartment is a set of 6 TEKLA tea towels from Ikea {not available online}. At .49 cents a pop, I was giddy about what a great deal they were, and how cute they would be as casual cloth napkins.

J was not convinced. In truth, I think he thought I was a little nuts.

But we brought them home with us, only $3 poorer. Infinitely richer in style, I might add.

And then I saw this backyard bridal shower on 100 Layer Cake {photos above}. Lo and behold, they used the TEKLA towels as napkins, too! You better believe I immediately emailed the link to J.

In subsequent Googling, I found this feature of the humble TEKLA on Apartment Therapy, as well. The Kitchn folks praise it effusively, saying:

"Like we said the other day, IKEA is best used in moderation. But there are some good buys there and we have a few favorites that have done very well for us. Here's another IKEA pick: the all-cotton TEKLA towel! Now, these don't actually come in napkin form, but we bought an extra dozen to use as folded cloth napkins for more informal dinner parties! We love their delicate yet strong cotton fabric, and the French-inspired red stripe. We find that the thin fabric doesn't wrinkle as badly as our heavier-weight fabric napkins."

Victory.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

J. Press







Coveting these J.Press bowties {for J, obvs, not me}. It's a good thing they're sold out, though, as $50 is a bit out of my budget. Which one's your favorite? I think I'm leaning towards no. 1.

See more and purchase here.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Happy Tape







As I sit at home packing boxes all day in preparation for the big move, I'm really wishing I had some Happy Tape in my life. I think it would, well, make me happy, and what more can you ask for from tape than that? {Besides a certain stick-to-it-iveness... hardy-har-har}. I could even use it to color-code boxes for different rooms - now that would really make me happy.

Purchase here.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Kris + Matt: A Jack + Jill Shower

Lovely reader Marget {sister of J; remember her?} sent in photos from a friend's recent shower she helped plan. It was held at a park on a bright and sunny June day. Lawn games were supplied for guests to enjoy, and the food was set up in a pavilion transformed for the occasion.



A homemade sign directed guests to the festivities.



Wildflowers in mason jars lined the tables, and at the end of the afternoon, the bridesmaids tied the flowers into bunches for guests to take home.



Nibbles included cupcakes and rice krispie treats baked by the bride's mother, sister, and cousin, with the bride's and groom's last initials decking the tops. Cake stands were used to add height and visual interest to the displays.





For favors, guests took home bags of the couple's favorite candy at the end of the night. The packages were tied with MOO cards bearing Matt + Kris's initials and, on the reverse, "play celebrate eat repeat 06.06.09 best wishes to kris & matt"



Thanks for sharing, Marget!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Board No. 39: Hand in Hand at the Edge of the Sand


{Click image to enlarge!}

It's finally feeling like summer in my corner of the world, so here's a destination wedding board to celebrate the sun! I like the mixture of aqua and tangelo, with some deeper royal blue, and chocolate brown for an accent. Citrus fruit and crepe paper flowers look appropriately beach-y lined up down the center of reception tables, while the bride and groom will stay cool in the tropics in a crepe silk gown and lightweight gray suit, respectively.

The Details
First row, left to right: crepe paper flowers from Brides; latte bowls with kumquats via Cannelle et Vanille; Stuck Labels on favor boxes via Oh Happy Day {purchase here!}

Second row: tablescape photographed by Yvonne Wong via Style Me Pretty; bride and groom from J. Crew June 2009; flower-filled fountain designed by Sillapere via Style Me Pretty

Third row: tea tin favor from Brides; surfers' paradise invite by Flush Designs; round tag program photographed by Yvonne Wong via Style Me Pretty

Fourth row: blue cardigan bride photographed by Ann Hamilton via The Bride's Cafe; sugar bowl centerpiece from Country Living; citrus and floral centerpiece by Oh, How Charming!

Monday, Monday + I'm Back!


{via Creature Comforts}

I'm back! I'm back! After 17 days on the road I'm finally sleeping in my own bed again. Sorry I've left you all hanging for the last two weeks, but things should be much more regular on Peach & Pearl from here on out, even though I'm moving to a new state in just a few short days (eek!!). Trip recaps are coming soon {if you'd like to see them?}, as well as an inspiration board this afternoon. See you then!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Hans & Catherine









I couldn't resist sharing this absolutely lovely wedding that popped up on Style Me Pretty a few weeks ago. I'm all for a theme to tie a celebration together, but so often they just end up feeling too... theme-y, you know?

Not this one. Hans and Catherine did a great job of incorporating just enough details, in a sophisticated enough palette, as to not go overboard. And as a bonus? Old typewriter paper makes an inexpensive and interesting table runner. See more on SMP here, here, here, and here.

{All images c/o Goudey Photo}

Monday, July 6, 2009

Monday, Monday + Parents


{via Flickr; originally from Domino}

Hello, lovelies! I'm still away so there won't be an inspiration board today. I do, however, have some posts scheduled for this week, so check back in on Wednesday and Friday for those! If you're looking for something to do in the meantime, click on over to Layers of Meaning to see the last installment of the Through Her Eyes series - it's a good one. Click here for the link.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Rubie Green



Speaking of things I want {we were, weren't we?}, this delightful Rubie Green bedding tops the list right now. I think I would combine the Tillinghast duvet cover with Classic Standard shams and a Classic Standard bed skirt, just like their stylish style director.

Now to figure out how they put together that amazing headboard...

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Praia Piquinia



I very much want a print of this for my desk. I love the beach.

See more fun at 20x200.

{Thanks, Jordan!}