Weekend Links

I can't get enough of this amazing tablescape designed by Salt Harbor and photographed by Millie Holloman on Style Me Pretty. Also loving this one from Style Notes and this one from Katiedid.

I'm crazy about this amazing DIY wedding full of fabulous succulents on Green Wedding Shoes.

Craving a taste of this creative gift idea.

Photo via Flickr

Hand me some chalk

I have to admit when I was staring at the chalkboard in middle school, I would never have imagined it being used for party decor. I have found myself drawn to events that use chalkboards for place cards, table signs, menus, etc. --- there are so many unique ways to incorporate a chalkboard into your event. I think my favorite might be the last image of the photo booth. What's yours?

Photos via Martha Stewart, Ritzy Bee, Oh So Beautiful Paper, Jose Villa, Style Me Pretty, Once Wed, Create My Event

Dining Al Fresco

I was reading Crystal's blog yesterday and fell in love with this tablescape she posted by Sharon Taylor of Sharon Taylor Designs. I don't know if its the chandelier, the hostas used as placemats, or the arbor overflowing with flowers, but I am enchanted by this gorgeous tablescape. I would love to be entertaining friends at this table, but it will be a few more weeks before dining al fresco is tolerable down south! I'm excited that fall is just around the corner...

Photo discovered via Plush Palate, originally from Coco+Kelley

I'm in love...

...with Philippe Starck's Louis Ghost Chair...

... so naturally I swooned when I saw it used at a wedding as the chairs for the bride and groom.

Complete with the initial no less. How fabulous is that??!! 

Photo via Philippe Starck and Diamond Affairs for Style Me Pretty

Watermelon Cooler

I was at the dentist's office the other day and saw this July issue(2009) of Southern Living on the coffee table and decided to sneak a peak before getting called back. My subscription to Southern Living ran out a few months ago and after seeing this issue, I realized I've really been missing this great magazine! Of course the cover grabbed my eye...I'm LOVING the idea of a Watermelon cooler for a party. What a great DIY idea for adding a little special creative touch to your next party.

And, what could be more perfect than serving Watermelon Agua Frescas from your watermelon cooler?? Check out the recipe from Maria Corbalan, owner of Taco Xpress in Austin, Texas...

Watermelon Agua Frescas Recipe

yield

Makes about 5 cups

ingredients
4 cups cubed seedless watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew melon
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups cold water

preparation
Process watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew melon and sugar in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher, discarding solids. Stir in 2 cups cold water. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice.

I'm thinking it would be great for a party at the lake, beach or even in your backyard. Watermelons = summertime to me so you better use this idea quick, because the lazy days of summer are almost over!

Photos via Southern Living

Happy Weekend

As I have said before, I have become blog obsessed...whether its wedding blogs, design blogs, photography blogs, fashion blogs...you name it, I'm reading it. A few blogs I read do "weekend links" on Friday which is a great way to discover new blogs and great ideas/images from the blog world. So, here is my first attempt at weekend links...hope you enjoy!!

Loving the new opportunity to design inspiration boards on Style Me Pretty's new site Style Circle (will post some soon!) AND loving this fabulous traditional southern wedding on SMP!!

Dying to get Brooke to do a custom line drawing of my house.

How cute are these polkadot postcards I saw on Style Notes and also on this inspiration board Kathryn from Snippet and Ink designed??

Wanting to make these treat cones that I saw on Hostess with the Mostess. Wouldn't they be fun for a "movie night" party?!

Digging this DIY gift idea from Morning T.

HAPPY WEEKEND!!

Photo via Flickr

Eye Candy

Amy Atlas Events designs the most amazing dessert tables that always have my mouth watering!! Her eye catching designs add the perfect touch of sweetness to any event, whether its a birthday, bridal shower, engagement party or wedding.  While Amy Atlas Events is most well known  for spectacular dessert buffets, the company is also a full service event planning company. Check out more of Amy's eye candy here.

Photos via Amy Atlas Events

Obsessed with Letterpress!

I could look at letterpress invitations, thank you cards, business cards, etc. ALL day long! I hope you enjoy these fabulous images...

Smock Paper

Duet Letterpress

Delphine

Night Owl Paper Goods

Budget Flowers

I'm a huge fan of having fresh flowers at my house whenever I have guests over, but unfortunately flowers aren't cheap! Instead of going to a flower shop, I try to buy my flowers at a local grocery store or Whole Foods. I wish I was talented in floral design, but I'm just a beginner when it comes to arranging flowers. What I have found to be an inexpensive and design friendly way to arrange flowers is to buy an already put together bouquet. This way you are buying flowers that compliment each other, but you can break it apart and arrange the flowers in several different vases around your house, giving you more bang for your buck! Check out the arrangements I put together this past weekend. Another great trick is to use a unique vase that doesn't require a ton of flowers...see below!

Wanted: Mason Jars!

Recently, I've fallen in love with the mason jar. It offers so many decorating options for a party that I need to get my hands on some ASAP! They can be used as lanterns, vases, glasses, silverware holders, and party favors. What I love so much about mason jars is that they have a southern, casual, down home feel, but can also be used for formal events. Have you recently decorated a party with mason jars? Do you have any other suggestions for decorating with a mason jar?

Photo 1: Seen on Bridal Daze, originally from The Knot

Photo 2: Weeping Cherries

Photo 3: Weeping Cherries

Photo 4: Lisa Light Ltd Designs

Photo 5: Do It Yourself Weddings

Photo 6: Southern Weddings
Photo 7: A Soft Place to Land

Photo 8: Weeping Cherries, originally from The Knot

TGIF

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

Hope you've got a reason to celebrate this weekend!

Photo via Evite

Finally...The Wedding

I have to admit I wasn't my normal photo obsessed self at the wedding in Charleston, so unfortunately I don't have very many photos to share with you. And, on top of that they were taken with my little digital and not my fancy SLR (which I of course think takes a better picture). Regardless, here is my top 5 list of favorites from the wedding and a few photos to go along...

1. Kate's gorgeous Vera Wang wedding dress and her groom Franklin's khaki suit and green and white bow tie that matched perfectly with the bridesmaids' green silk J. Crew dresses. Needless to say, the wedding party was dressed to perfection!

2. The ice sculpture of Kate and Franklin's dog Mae that was part of the serving piece for the delicious shrimp.

3. The band...The Maxx...which was the life of the party and got everyone out on the dance floor. To me, the band is KEY for a good party.

4. The melt in your mouth cupcakes in various flavors -- orange, caramel, red velvet and peppermint -- YUM!

5. The getaway car or in this case, a Boat! The reception was held on the water, so Kate and Franklin walked out on the pier and left on a boat with sparklers all around. I love it when brides get creative with their exit!

Charleston Continued...

I spent an afternoon in Charleston taking pictures of the gorgeous southern architecture.  I was so captivated by the colors, columns, porches, fountains and window boxes that I saw on every corner. This is one southern city I could spend A LOT more time in!