6
08.30.11

Saltwater Taffy Inspiration…

A few weeks back, I guest posted for my friend Chris over on Postcards & Pretties, and today I want to share the inspiration I put together with all of you! If I’m being totally honest, I am 110% ready for Fall. Bring on the boots, scarves, changing leaves, and cool weather! No matter how ready I am for Fall though, we are still deep in Summer here in Orange County. It’s 100 degrees today (ew!) and in honor of that, here is some summery sweet, pastel saltwater taffy goodness!

{Top to bottom, L-R: Ban.do | A Field Journal | Vessels and Wares | Martha Stewart | Photo by Ashley Rose, Bouquet by JL Designs | Confetti System via Decor 8 | 100 Layer Cake | Photo by Jubilee Photography via Southern Weddings}

12
08.16.11

Over The Moon DIY {by} Luna & Chloe Weddings…

Hello, oh so fabulous readers of The Loveliest Day!  Kristi here from Luna and Chloe Weddings and Over The Moon Vintage Rentals.  I can’t tell you how tickled I was when Melissa asked me to guest post for her.  I have guested posted once before on The Loveliest Day, and it was such a wonderful experience that I am so happy to be back…so thank you Melissa for having me.
Today I thought I would share with you a fairly quick DIY that you can do.  While I am making these felted moons for a Fizz & Frills event in San Francisco (where Over The Moon Vintage Rentals is a vendor for it’s homemade items), I think that they would make darling escort cards…

Cute, no?  And to use as escort cards all you would need to do is pin on a guests name and table number!  Also, keep in mind that while I made moons (get it – Over The Moon…hehe), you could make stars, hearts, circles, or just about any other shape you can imagine.  Plus, you can make all in one color, or a variety of colors….or even a color for each table….lots of options really ;-)
Here is a quick step-by-step for you ~ so you too can make them…

Here are the materials that are needed:

  • Felt
  • Scissors
  • A cutout shape on cardstock
  • Pins
  • Needle
  • Thread
  • Batting to stuff with
  • And for the moons I used a skewer to push the batting down into the point

Step 1 ~ Pin on the cutout shape
Step 2 ~ Cutout the shape
Step 3 ~ Thread your needle (I did not knot mine at the end), and then starting out at one end do a simple stitch following the outline of the shape.  The stitch does not have to be perfect, random is fine…as long as they aren’t too far apart.
Step 4 ~ Stitch all the way up one side and halfway up the other side and then fill with batting using the skewer (dull end) to push down into the point
Step 5 ~ Make sure to fill with enough batting, but not so much that you can’t get the moon closed.
Step 6 ~ Finish stitching all the way up, making sure that the end of the thread is on the same side of the moon that you started with.  Once both ends are on the same side, just knot.  You can leave leave extra thread to hang from if you’d like (like I did), just tie another knot at the end.
And that’s it my dears ~ a quick DIY that can be used as escort cards, favors, fun decorations or even to hang on the Christmas tree…might be getting ahead of myself on that one ;-)  
Speaking of Christmas trees ~ how cute would it be to have bunches of moons hanging from a Christmas tree for guests to find their seat?  Oh, I think it would be OVER THE MOON!
~ Ciao

10
07.15.11

Simple Favor Ideas…

I spotted these bottled favor/gift ideas over on Matt Bites the other day, and I just love them!

Simple syrups, perfectly packaged. I think these would make a fantastic hostess gift, or something fun to take along to a bridal shower! Cocktails, anyone?

These little bottles of limoncello look so delicious and refreshing! Whip up a favorite drink, put it in some pretty bottles, and give them out as wedding favors or gifts. I think making some apple cider, or mulled wine and packaging it like this could be a great Christmas present or winter wedding favor!

All it took was some bottles, some labels, and a little creativity! Head on over to Matt Bites to learn more:)

20
05.25.11

Wine Country Garden Wedding Shoot…

This adorable styled shoot took place in the Northern California wine country, at Redwood Hills Gardens! A great creative team, led by Denise of Modern Love Photography, put together a design that would make for the perfect intimate garden wedding. I’m loving the garland of vintage cards hung by clothespins, the sweet buttercream rose cake, and the chic ivory turban the bride model is sporting! My favorite detail of all though, has to be the favors. The swirled taffy and colorful shredded paper bursting out of glassine bags is a wonderful final touch!

Vendors:

Photography: Modern Love Photography
Venue: Redwood Hills Gardens
Floral Design: Bella Fiora
Wardrobe: Juniper Tree Fashion
Hair + Makeup: Moderne Beauty

6
05.20.11

Summer Gingham Inspiration…

Happy Friday, everyone! The weekend has almost arrived, so I wanted to leave you with a little something fun. Summer will be here before we know it, and for some reason whenever I think summer, I think gingham! While I love the classic Americana take on gingham in navy blues, whites and reds, my favorite kind of gingham is a mix of it in all the colors of the rainbow. A colorful gingham explosion! It makes me think of picnics in the park, running through the sprinklers, lemonade under a beach umbrella, icy fruit popsicles, and frolicking in the pool, among other things.

A colorful gingham wedding, or party of any sort would be so cute! If you have one, pretty, pretty please invite me.

{L-R: Ties by BabybyStevie | Goodie Bags by Sweet LuLu | Umbrella photo by Simply Hue | Gingham Packaging by Sweet Paul | Twist Ties by Pretty Tape | Table by Country Living | Cupcake Liners by The Bakers Confections | Hanging Bunting by Kate Landers Events via Project Nursery}

0
05.5.11

Snowy Rock ‘n Roll Wedding Shoot…

I made a quick mention of this shoot a few weeks back when it was posted on The Sweetest Occasion, and now it’s time for a more in-depth look! Earlier this year, the absolutely delightful Amber Moon of Pitbulls and Posies asked me if I wanted to work on a shoot with her, my immediate answer was YES! She had been chatting with some friends of hers, Courtney Lindberg, Stephanie Lawrence and Genevieve Garner, about ideas for the Inspired Creations Contest. They decided to go with a sparkly rock n’ roll look, and shoot in Big Bear at Genevieve’s family cabin. I joined in, and from there, everything was a whirlwind, and this is the result!

I crafted a feather chandelier, grey velvet napkins, and mirrored silver placemats trimmed with guinea feathers for the shoot. To learn how I made them, you can check out my DIY instructions on The Sweetest Occasion.

Amber designed some super cute stationery for this shoot. I can’t get enough of the hanging feather motif that complemented the chandelier so well! We tied the menu and placecards to the velvet napkins with some of my favorite ribbons.

Amber’s husband handmade some really rad wooden boxes, which we used as seating. For added comfort, I draped the throws that usually sit on my living room couch over them.

The gorgeous purple glass goblets came from Pow Wow Vintage Rentals, and the tall candlesticks in the background were ones I purchased at thrift and craft stores, then glittered.

I brought an assortment of votive holders from my huge collection of mercury glass, and we used them not only to hold the candles, but also as vessels for the flowers.

We had some awesome models for this shoot! Liz and John had such great chemistry, and I love the looks Stephanie and Genevieve put together for them.

Miss Tashina designed this gorgeous dress which consists of a white jumper that can be worn alone, a skirt, and a gold studded belt. Just stunning! She also designed the harness on the second dress Liz wore, as well as many of the accessories. She is just incredible!

We put together a self-serve snow cone shot bar with a choice of vodka, whiskey, or tequila.

These blue glass mini goblets also come from Pow Wow Vintage Rentals, and were displayed on a variety of vintage silver pieces from my own collection.

The awesome gold trunk belongs to Courtney!

More of Amber’s beautifully designed stationery. She incorporated fun song lyrics, including a line from the song I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness. I was especially excited because that was the song our bridal party entered the reception to at Bryan’s and my wedding! She lined the invitation box with a marbled paper, tied it up with grey bakers twine, and the overall effect is divine!

Last, but certainly not least, is this gold cake made by Don’t Mind if We Do! For a bit of added glitz, we topped the cake with some sparklers.

I had a fantastic time working with such a talented group of people! Courtney’s photos were awesome and captured everything so well. Big thanks to all of you:)

So, this was our Inspired Creations Contest entry, with all the nitty gritty! When choosing finalists, the judges take comments into consideration, so if you like our shoot, I would be SUPER grateful if you’d leave a comment here.

Our Team:

Photography: Courtney Lindberg Photography
Design + Styling: Moi!
Paper goods: Pitbulls and Posies
Makeup Artist: Stephanie Lawrence
Hair Stylist: Genevieve Garner
Wardrobe Designer: Miss Tashina
Vintage Rentals: Pow Wow Vintage Rentals
Cake: Don’t Mind if We Do!
Models: John Wynn + Liz Iacuzzi
Grey Feather Epaulettes: Sweet Evie
LOVE Ring: Loud Love Jewelry
Viewfinders: Image 3D

0
05.2.11

Midnight Rider…

I’m busy planning and designing away today, so I wanted to leave you with a small snippet of the inspiration I am working with.

This…

{By }

And this…

{Gara Danielle Ring}

I am obsessed! More to come in the next few months:)

I’ll be back tomorrow with a super awesome wedding for you! Happy Monday!