black and white all over...

I think I might have a problem... I was rendered speechless by yet another black and white room. It certainly doesn't hurt that it happens to include so many of my favorite design elements (smidges of browney grey to warm things up, purple flowers, huge windows, crown moulding, shell lamp). Though I'll warn you that from other angles I didn't love it quite so much, from this one it's *sigh* lovely. I want to nap there RIGHT now. Image from here.

hey! I've got one of those!

So, we live in a 60 yr old house that still has two of the original single paned wood windows (not exactly practical in -4o degree weather!) This summer we were able to rip out one of the three that were there in order to replace it with a lovely new one, and were able to, at the same time, preserve the original frames... but, seeing as how we are not exactly "shabby chic" people, I have NO idea what to do with them, though I don't want to throw them out, either! If only we'd done the window BEFORE the wedding, I could've scooped this adorable idea! Images from here. And seriously, how much do I love the painted on table numbers, too?! Lovely.

best bridal hair evah.

omg. Do you ever wish you had the hutzpah to just go all out? K, maybe not so much the style (pretty but not necessarily awe-inspiring), but the colour. Oh, the colour! Beautiful. Image from here by Steep Street.

other people's weddings: Debi & Dave

So, what can I say? I think there's finally been enough time since the end of my own wedding planning that I can begin to enjoy and appreciate the fun of it again! Trust me... by the day after I wanted NOTHING to do with weddings! It was SO nice to just NOT troll the blogs, buy the mags, etc. But they are SO pretty. And it can be SUCH a big help to find inspiration when you're planning your own, so I figure, maybe, once in a while, I'll post some pretties. Sound good? So with no further ado I give you a couple pics that seriously had me shouting (ok, not shouting out loud, per se, but definitely in my head!) "Oh, my god! That's MY idea!" Embellished flats? check. Sleek grey suit/tie? check. Peony, lamb's ear, and anemone bouquet? check. (my peonies bloomed a little too early and apparently I simply could NOT order anemones here. bummer. so I did roses and peony buds, which actually turned out pretty cute.) Pretty, simple hair? check. Yeah, you get the idea... Image found here.

i. want. this.

This is gorg. Really, what else is there TO say? Image from Vintage Glam Blog by Oeil Photography.

never say never: pt. gazillion

Well kidlets, I did it. I finally sucked it up and ordered and paid for my flowers. And... I bought hydrangeas. You know, the flowers I SWORE I wouldn't get because everyone and their iguana uses them for weddings. Well, now so am I, I guess. Funny thing, though. Guess why? Because carnations, that's right, CARNATIONS were too expensive! I know, right?!?!?!?! Believe it or not, good old dime store carnations were almost as expensive as roses and would've actually cost me 3 times as much as the the hydrangeas! Crap I hate when trends catch on! Why couldn't they have realized everyone was using carnations now, like, a week AFTER my wedding?! Well, anyway, I'm only using them for lil' sis's bouquet, and frankly, she LOVES them, so it was probably meant to be afterall. And besides, even I can admit that that arrangement above IS pretty chic, and I mean, that's just white hydrangeas...
For the rest I bought 17 dozen pink roses... that's a hell of a lot of roses! Now I just have to hope that we have ok gardening weather and that I can take up my friends' offers to let me raid their peony patches! It'll be totally gorgeous without the peonies... but it'll be FRICKIN' amazing with them! Here's hoping! Fingers crossed... and toes... Image from Brides by Mark Lund.

o. my. fekk.

This is delicious. Honestly. How could I NOT love this?!?! Peonies. Raspberries. Purple. Vintage glassware. This makes me SO excited for summer. Can you smell those warm raspberries yet? Images from Ritzy Bee Blog by Corbin Gurkin Photography.

other people's weddings: Melissa & Pete

This is freaktastically close to the EXACT look and feel that I've got in mind for my own wedding. I was so stoked to see how well all of the details ended up working out together! Loves it! Images from Project Wedding by Tec Pataja.

just a little poof

So, I went to gather intel on my flowers... again. This thing just never dies. So I went to the store that had quoted me at $17.99 for 2 dozen only to be told they had raised it to $24.99. Needless, to say, I decided to shop around a bit. I ended up going to a flower shop my sis recommended. Though their price was even higher, the friendly, obviously knowledgeable staff, and great selection had me sold. I gotta tell you though, I think the poor girl was just about ready to pull her hair out as I shot down suggestion after suggestion. Though, in my defense, every suggestion were very much the "standard" wedding flowers: lilies, cala and otherwise, gerbera daisies (which I would have been ALL over... when I was 16), hydrangeas (I have an irrational hate-on for hydrangea bouquets. Which is weird since I LOVE them in people's gardens! Like I said, irrational), etc. And yeah, I get it, roses fall into that category, too, but that's where we're headed.

So it's looking like 250 roses across tables, etc. with my bouquet being composed of roses, sweetpeas, peonies, ranunculous, and anemones. What I'm most excited about, and what I'm sure I'll get the funniest looks over is Sis' bouquet: a tight, white poof entirely composed of large carnations. I know. Carnations. But seriously, how pretty is that example above from Martha?? SO PRETTY! It makes me happy! And kind of cracks me up. Irony is fun, yes?

the WIC wins... or do they? dum dum dummmmm

So for the most part I have a genuine loathing for almost anything ever relegated to the "wedding" or "bridal" or "whatever" aisles of event companies, baking supply stores, craft stores, big box stores, grocery stores, card stores... you know, EVERYWHERE! That crap is EVERYWHERE! Now granted, I never noticed how much it was, in fact, EVERYWHERE until I was planning my own wedding, but don't kid yourselves, I am NOT exaggerating. None of it is very pretty, or interesting, or personal (despite the gatrillion ways you can have it all monogrammed) and worst of all it is, with almost no exception both cheap AND expensive! Hate it. Seriously. But there is one, tiny little corner of the WIC that has caught my fancy... and that is the old-fashioned cake topper. Now granted, I would NEVER consider buying one of the bajillion toppers offered up by said card stores and supermarts. Seriously, "Bride as ball and chain", "Bride lassooing groom", "Bride and Groom as Frogs"... seriously???

But, and this is a big but, there are some ADORABLE cake toppers! There are, really! You can go as classic or creative as you want, vintage or new, 2 or 200 $$$. The options really are limitless. I personally love the idea of repurposing something nifty and thrifty like the awesome hollow brass apple I was once tempted with or cool vintage salt shakers like these.

But I, at heart, am a classicist if not a traditionalist, and so I am getting a rose. But not just any rose! A five inch almost-white, pink clay hand-made garden rose from the absolutely delightful and accomodating Kat of Petal by Petal! Seriously, I couldn't remember going to her more! So, friendly, super prompt, funny, oh, and hella hella talented! How thrilled am I that I took the advice of delightful Mama's readers and looked around Etsy for Claycraft artisans before dishing out for this beautiful topper that was more than TWICE was Kat is charging me! And she ships to Canada! Yay! With no further jibber jabber I bring you my be-yoo-ti-ful, traditional, but not custom cake topper!Isn't it SO pretty! How cool will that sucker be on by tall, skinny, white wedding cake on it's vintage jadeite stand, yo?!

great ressource XIV: ZipPinning

I'm sure a lot of you have already seen button bouquets featured on many of the wedding blogs, but to me, they just seem a little too kiddy, gumdroppy. Though, hey, maybe that's what folks are going for. Personally I'm seriously digging these brooches made from zippers instead. How totally awesome would these be as boutonnieres?! I know, right! I think it would be a great way to incorporate that crafty, sense of whimsy without necessarily needing things to be technicolor. Though, in the same vein, these could be a great compliment to those button bouquets. What a cute little "sewing" theme you could come up with! Check 'em out over at Zip Pinning.

confessions and creations

I did it. I broke down... and accepted that the major problem with providing 400 cupcakes of various flavors to your guests is NOT the actual making of said cupcakes, but rather, how in the HELL do you get 400 iced cupcakes from your home to the hall????? Yeah, maybe there's some perfect system for this, but I sure couldn't figure it out.
So, onto plan B: 8-12 individual cakes. Now, I know, I know, crazy work, right? But I am not doing "wedding cakes". Just yummy, old fashioned cakes on the beautiful vintage stands I'd been collecting for the cupcakes. There's every chance I might not even ice the majority of them... This way they can be made ahead of time, wrapped in plastic wrap and easily transported and placed on the plates, maybe with a handful of fresh berries around the edges. Why didn't I think of this before??? Now, maybe if we had a bigger wedding this would present it's own nightmares ie. How do you serve all that cake?! But I think I've got it covered: I scored a dozen cake knives from the dollar store, which I plan on sinking into each cake and folks can simply slice off a hunk themselves, family-style. Again, the ONLY reason I'm considering this is because we have less than 75 people, 90% of whom ARE our family and will not for one second find this weird. Now to bake! First up is the "white" cake demo recipe that I'm working on for my buddies who I foolishly agreed to whip up a simple cake for their own wedding ONE WEEK AFTER MINE! I'm a putz. Thankfully, the cake seems to be pretty freaking delish! Yay! I think I'm just going to do two layers, with simple strawberry jam between, iced with buttercream, with fresh strawberries tucked along the edges. Then she was just wanting a bunch of pink silk hydrangeas tucked on top. Nice and simple, the whole thing'll sit on the white, ceramic, fluted-edge cake stand I'm lending her. Here's the recipe, if you're interested. Oh, and you know, the site it's from rules, so that's cool. *har* Image from Lottie + Doof.And actually, while looking for a delicious white cake recipe (surprisingly difficult to come by, but it's what girlfriend wanted so...) I came across this totally adorable image for little cupcake flags on toothpicks. I think this would be SUCH a cute little diy for my now-cake table, no?! I'll let you know how it goes! Image from FoodGawker.

great ressource XIII: keepin it real... or, you know, not

I'm pretty stoked to be posted these great bouquets today! I am in MAD love with the textures, colours, creativity, romance, well, you get the idea! Made out of bits of vintage fabric and notions, not only would these bouquets last forever, but they're also pretty freaking cost-effective (compared to a fresh flower bouquet from a florist) not to mention earth-friendly! Go check the ladies out and let 'em know 'mama sent ya! Good luck! Top three images from Amanda1986, bottom two images from Bloom and Co.. ***isn't that last bouquet just dreamy???

...sitting in a tree

Awww... I love this idea... or heart it, I guess! We actually have a huge old elm tree right outside our bedroom door, and I'm thinking it would be a ridiculously cute pic to carve our names into it, and then have our pic taken in front of it, the day of. Question? Would this kill my poor ol' tree??? Pic found over at Once Wed from Jill Thomas.

help a girl out, wouldya?

I think my partner-in-crime, Tracy, should take inspiration from these RIDICULOUSLY cute treats from The Jewels of New York. Aren't they just SO cute!? Such a great alternative to the standard cupcakes! Oh, and don't even get me started on the adorable packaging...

other people's weddings: Lauren & Vance

Are you kidding me with this wedding? Seriously? It's freakin' perfect, man! Love the bride, the location, bride's freckles, the clothes, the insanely cool seeming guests, the flowers, and holy cow the food! Seriously, it's making me soooo hungry... I want some right now. Anyhoo, you can check out over at the killer Cooper Carras's blog, which is delightful in it's own right, even aside from wedding jazz. Enjoy!

how do i keep drinking the koolaid???

Ok, it's official. This has got to be one of the most "me" inspiration boards I've ever seen posted around. I literally love almost every detail, from the flowers, to the specs, the textures, the muted, soft colours, the books, the typewriter, and OMG that pink and gold dress. But... it's PINK! wtf! I am NOT the PINK girl. "Pink weddings" typically make me gag, then wince, in alternating cycles... but this? this is pink? And? I like it? I swear that koolaid's getting stronger and stronger... What's next? Organza chair covers and a white velour, rhinestone be-spangled white velour "Bride" jumpsuit??? Stop me well before that point, k? Please? Thanks, buddies. *** I'm not AT that point, am I?!?! *** Seriously, though, that inspiration board is delicisious. And... pink. sigh. Board from here.

other people's weddings: Leith & Stewart

Whoo, boy! Do I ever love the feel of this wedding from Carrie Patterson (found at The Bride's Cafe). I think it's the near perfect combo of relaxed but still special details. Oh, and the pic with the little blonde girls in the white sundresses suckered me in right quick! I gotta say, I know we might not have done things "the right way", but I wouldn't trade the experience of being able to share my wedding with my daughter for anything. If anything, it's made it more special for me... To watch her seeing us make this commitment to each other will, I hope, be a great example to her about what love can and should be. That parents aren't just two people who live with you, but people in their own right who really and truly, not just love each other, but are IN love with one another.... Anyway, I'm rambling... I going to hit "publish" then go kiss my daughter and giggle about "loooooooooveeee..." Good times. (Oh, and isn't her dress just so beautiful?!)

great ressource XI

Oh. My. Goodness. I think I may have a little inspiration crush on Sarah Magid of Sarah Magid Organic Cakes. Just came across her blog which is ridiculously chock full of fun, sweet, and creative ideas which can SO easily be brought over to weddings. But I have to admit, though I LOVE the cakes, the recipes, and the writing, I knew I was in full crush mode when mommy Sarah posted about making April Fool's "poo" cookies. I think is was the "From: the Toilet" that got me to the point of laughing tears out. Yeah. Good times. Organic cakes, beautiful weddings, and *poo cookies.
*OK, I know. It's seems weird, but you'll just have to trust me and go there. Awesomeness.