Room to Wedding | Pink and Blue

This color scheme is in demand right now concerning all aspects of design. Because these colors are so bold, especially together, there are a few things you can do to make sure that this motif is sophisticated and not silly. Like the room below, adding different shades of blues, greens and accents of dark wood furniture is the perfect example of how to create this look without going overboard.   

Room | Setting and Cake | Invites

Happy Tuesday!

Featured | Caitlin + Monty's McCall Soiree

Happy Monday! We woke up with news in our inbox- Caitlin and Monty's southern September affair is featured on Style Me Pretty today! We have been (im)patiently sitting on all of the pretty photos from Two Bird Studio for months so we are so thrilled to finally reveal them. But first, a little background on this wedding. Caitlin and Monty spent much of their relationship long distance, including while planning their wedding; Caitlin was in New York for most of it, working with her Regas team, and Monty in Texas. McCall was a favorite family spot from Caitlin's childhood so they chose the lakeside destination locale to bring their family and friends from all over to one lovely place. I remember receiving the initial email from Caitlin- she was spunky and so excited to put tons of thought and detail into the weekend, and she's a letterpress designer, so basically we hit it off from the start.

Three locations within McCall- The Old Finn Church, Roseberry Barn, and Shore Lodge- and three design concepts layered to build upon each other-provided such an awesome experience for the guests; a historic quaint chapel to start, rustic barn complete with a lively folk band and spanning mountain views, and a rockin band, great food and gorgeous lake setting to end the night. In short it was an amazing event that had the entire Soiree team involved and we loved every second of it. Here are a few photos to whet your whistle, but do take a peek at the full feature on Style Me Pretty today!

Preparing For Baby | Designing The Nursery

It is officially less than a month to go before baby H makes his debut in the world, and what a whirlwind the last few weeks have been! From room prepping to baby showering to just getting bigger, it's pretty evident that the time is near. I'll be sharing the final nursery pictures soon (just a few more additions here and there), but wanted to share a tidbit of my inspiration with you all. I've been so smitten with the soft, calming color of gray, that it became the basis of the entire room design. I also decided this time around to create a room that spoke more to my personal taste vs. having everything so baby-like. There are still plenty of sweet baby touches (including modern safari-like animals and pops of rust orange for a bright contrast), but in comparison to kiddo #1's nursery {Note to self: just because you're having a boy doesn't mean everything needs to be blue}, this one is definitely more sophisticated and grown up. It's turning out to be not only beautiful, but serene; I think it will be a room that I will love being in day after day.

And speaking of baby, I ran across this post over at Oh So Beautiful Paper, and I just loved the idea of promissory notes for new parents. They would make an awesome and meaningful baby shower gift too:

Even though I've been a mom for four years now, it seems almost like the first time around knowing that there will be two kiddos now. Any advice from any moms out there? And how about all of you new mamas and moms-to-be...what are your fears, excitements, thoughts? Would love to hear!

Xo,

2012 Wedding Round Up | Favorite Invitations

Ahh the invitation. It's arguably one of the most important aspects of the wedding, because it sets the tone for the wedding. Just think about it: you're inviting your guests to not only celebrate the momentous occasion of marriage, but you're inviting them to take a peek into what your lives will be together. To me, the wedding invitation should showcase all of this- it needs to embody your personal style and taste, as well as give your guests a taste of what the event holds. We loved how different all of the invites were this year...here's a sampling of styles, from eclectic to romantic. 

  Invitations by Dear Ampersand

Photo Via Ampersand Studios

  Invitations by Dear Ampersand

Photo Via Tana Photography

 

 Invitations by Regas New York (created by bride)

Photo Via Two Bird Studio

  Invitations by Dear Ampersand

 Invitations by Dear Ampersand

Photo Via Tana Photography

Xo,

Trending | Watercolor

With Valentine's day coming up, I haven't not noticed all the pinks, blushes, and reds popping up everywhere...romanticism is in full force (and we love it). Feeling the love, we've also been so drawn to the popular trend of watercolor- from wedding invitations to Etsy prints this artistic brush stroke is perfect for the true romantic.

1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. 

What do you love most about it? Anyone using it in their homes or weddings? 

Xo,

With love | Valentine's Day Cards

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I thought these cards from foxinthepine were too cute not to share! I love the little animals, whimsical designs, and the use of non-traditional colors (I can't lie, I love red and pink, but it's nice to see some variety). This holiday centered around love has long been a favorite of mine. It's good to remember that whether you're married, engaged, single or dating, there are a lot of people in your life that would love to get a little note from you. I like to send cards out to friends and family and make sure they know I'm thinking about them. So spread the love this year! (and get started soon, it's easy to end up scrambling around two days before to get cards written, sealed and sent...not that I would know anything about that!) 

6 Holiday Gift Wrap Favorites

Every year I try to pick out 2-3 coordinating patterns or designs for gift wrap....there's just something about looking at your tree and seeing all of the gifts sitting so pretty together. Now that I have a kiddo, I also try to find a balance between my aesthetics and kid-friendly designs that appeal to little eyes too- so we've seen the likes of vintage santas and colorful reindeer- but I still try to take it up a notch with trimming and coordinating. By having everything coordinate, from the wrap to the ribbon, it all becomes a really beautiful statement piece in your home. So without further adieu, here are 6 holiday wrapping paper favorites I've come across so far in my search for this year's theme:

Gold + Kraft | Vintage winter dachsunds

Flamenco Paper | Herringbone Gift Wrap

Pom Pom Paper | Rifle Paper Co

~Happy gifting, and happy wrapping- only two more weeks to go! 

Xo,

Brandi's 2012 Holiday List | Simple Sophisticate

The tree is trimmed, lights are up, and I've already had my eye on the many holiday gift guides going around in the blogsphere of late. This year, instead of doing a gift guide round up like we did last year, we are personalizing things a little bit by posting our personal favorites that we'd be giddy to receive ourselves. If you missed Stephanie's, be sure to take a peek if you fancy fashion, and we've got more holiday and wish lists coming up this week and next for you.

As I was putting together my holiday list, I took a look at it and realized everything (ok, almost everything) was pretty practical and would be reasonable additions to both wardrobe and lifestyle, and all of the items would graciously carry one well into next seasons to come. Or so says my voice of reason. That was when I named mine "simple sophisticate", because that is what I'm focusing on this year...getting back to my roots and really building a foundation that can be accessorized as seasons come and go. Then add in the fact that I'm currently six months pregnant, I'm finding the more basic and classic I go, the better off I am (and saves me mad frustration in the mornings as I find things to wear).

So forgive me as I channel my inner stylist and post my current most coveted things here...if anything it might give you some gift ideas if you're currently searching for someone with classic, simple taste (or just needing ideas for your own wish list).

From Left to Right:

1. Boucle Peplum blazer from Jcrew. I'm currently loving all things blazer right now, especially since I can pair them with a fitted tee to show off the baby bump. Not to mention blazers always keep me feeling pulled together and ready for business or play.

2. On The Dot studs from Kate Spade. One of our good photographer friends has a pair similar to this, and I am always staring. Sometimes a gal just needs a basic, non-fussy pair of earrings and these fit the bill.

3. The Dodocase for Jcrew. I currently have a sleeve that I keep my iPad in, but as I carry it around to every single appointment I know I need a little more protection. This one is stylish and even has a camera hole.

4. Coach Poppy perfume. As I've sworn off all forms of scent since becoming pregnant, this is literally the first perfume I've come across that I was not only attracted to, but rather smitten with. Its citrusy properties with a touch of floral undertones really makes this a fresh daily must have. And come to think of it, brides, do check this out- I think it would be a lovely scent to wear on your wedding day without being overpowering.

5. Moss Stitch Cowl Neck by the Gap. I usually lean more toward basic blacks and gray, and tend to be quite fickle around color, but I find this violet-fuschia color striking. I think it would dress up those basic blacks in a nice way.

6. A new family portrait by Rifle Paper Co. This hand-drawn portrait is of Oh Joy's Joy Cho and her sweet family. How perfect is this as a gift idea? Send in a favorite photo and Rifle Paper Co will turn it into personalized stationery for thank you notes and such, but I love the idea of framing it as Joy did to use as family momentos each year.

7. Okay. This may be one thing that is neither practical nor a reasonable item. But the fact is, I want one. I want him. Dear Santa, can I have my French bulldog puppy this year?

What's on your list this year?

Xo,

Gift & Favor Tag Roundup

There's nothing better than a jazzy little tag to add a little something special to your event. Whether it's for the holidays, wedding favors or bridal party gifts, we love them all! So, we've rounded up some of our favorites...

  Surcie Tags

 

 Favor Tags | Personalized Wooden Tags

 

Kraft Gift Tags

                                                       Letterpress Tags | Feather Gift Tags

Downloadable Tags

Stamped manila tags, originally via Pinterest

~ Happy Monday!

Sunday Soiree | All The Pretty Paper {less}

With all of the party-throwing we know you love to do, sometimes a fete calls for a way to invite lots of  your friends all at once. Enter the email invite (otherwise known as the Evite). For parties with a less formal intent (read: you're still not allowed to email wedding invitations), sometimes a fun, easy invitation to relay all of the details of your dinner party is just what the cocktails ordered.

If you're anything like us, even an email invitation needs to have style about it, and Kate Spade has come to our rescue, once again, with their Paperless Post line:

These little ditties are less than $.50 each and are a fabulous way to throw a stylish, carefree party while staying true to you.

~Happy Planning!

Press | Marisa and Steve's Garden Inspired Shore Lodge Wedding

We're over the moon to be able to show you this- we found out that Marisa and Steve's Shore Lodge wedding was featured over at Inspired By This, the blog and brainchild of Wedding PR maven Leila Khalil.

This wedding has such a special place in our hearts- especially when we planned and designed it in 2 months flat, start to finish. When Marisa and Steve met with me for the first time, the date was the only thing set in stone- everything else had to be put into overdrive, especially the letterpress invitations which had to be designed, stuffed, and mailed within a matter of weeks of meeting the couple. Good thing me and Marisa basically became best friends- we poured over colors, theme, and personal additions to come up with a delightfully colorful wedding- which went well with the snow in the mountains. And speaking of theme- the subtle garden theme just kind of came to be...Marisa and Steve mentioned they enjoyed gardening and one thing led to another with details like garden markers as escort cards, and wildflower seeds as parting gifts. Without further adieu, the rest of the photos from the day, and don't forget to head over to Inspired By This to see even more photos there.

The Dream Team:

Photography: Tana Photography
Venue: Shore Lodge, McCall
Flowers: Boise At It's Best
Stationery: Dear Ampersand
Cake: Greg Marsh Designer Cakes
Hair/Makeup: Camilla Orosco, Deco Hair and Makeup Design
Strings: Silhouette String Ensemble
DJ: VCI Audio Entertainment
Chairs, Chargers, Linens: Brown Rental 
Tuscany Napkins: La Tavola
Bridesmaid Dress: Jcrew
Bride's Dress: Tadashi Shoji for Nordstrom
Planning, Design, Custom Runners & Decor: Soiree

Color Palette:

~ Xo,

Brandi