Wedding Inspiration Board #2 and #3

(enlarge here)

(enlarge here)

I'm still pulling together ideas for our wedding next year. These boards focus on my decor, floral and food direction. As you can see, lots of purple and pink and vintage touches! We're still deciding on a venue, but once we do I think these ideas will really start to come together. More to come...

p.s. Have a great weekend, one and all!

Ryan Korban

There's a great interview with up-and-coming interior designer Ryan Korban on Style.com. He talks about designing for small spaces and about taking a fashion approach to interior design, which is so my thing. I can't wait until his website is up so we can see more of his beautiful interiors, like the one pictured above!

Born to Wear Denim

Ok, I admit it, I have never been the most avid denim-wearer. Despite my envy of the ladies that look fantastic in their skinny jeans, I always seem to stick to my girly dresses. I think it's mostly because it's difficult for me to find a pair of jeans that fit great, especially for under $100 (I refuse to pay more!), and that's a bummer because it really does limit my wardrobe choices.

So when I was approached recently to become a "Brand Enthusiast" for one of my favorite brands, Gap, I jumped at the opportunity! Gap is unveiling a new line of premium denim this summer called Born To Fit, and they are eager to get the word out about these completely re-engineered jeans. Available in three women's styles - Always Skinny, Real Straight and Sexy Boot - their new jeans promise to have the great fit and feel of premium denim at very wallet-friendly prices, which sounds pretty great to me. I can't wait to receive my jeans in the mail so I can give my full review! Until then, I'm dreaming of a new wardrobe world for myself, one in which I will be wearing playful and sexy outfits like the ones I've assembled below...

Bosporous blouse, $98, Anthropologie; Flung Facets earrings, $42, Anthropologie; Lanvin tie-back gladiator sandals, $448.23, Barneys.com; Real Straight jeans, $59.50, Gap

Check roll up cowl top, $50, Topshop; lightweight tassle scarf in Purple Muse, $34.50, Gap; Lanvin metallic woven slingback sandal, $381.23, Barneys.com; leather foldover hobo, $158, Gap; Sexy Boot jeans, $59.50, Gap

Vintage mesh clutch, $16.90, Etsy.com; Brick Sequin Tee, $145, Topshop; large shirt cuff in purple python, Kara Ross; Pierre Hardy fishnet sandals, $428.13, Barneys.com; Always Skinny jeans, $69.50, Gap

A note: I feel very lucky that I was chosen to be a Brand Enthusiast for Gap because I am a longtime fan of their aesthetic and commitment to cool clothes at a reasonable price. Still, although I am not being paid to perform this role, I will file Gap-related posts under "sponsored content."

Room Roundup

Just sharing some favorite rooms and vignettes that have been hanging around in my inspiration folder.  I like the touches of pink everywhere! Hope you find something that you like too...

(Images from top: Roger Davies Photography; My Home Ideas; Design Sponge; Caitlin Moran Interiors; House Beautiful; Canadian House and Home)

Creative Seating

Hay bale seating! So perfect for a rustic outdoor get-together... like maybe a backyard wedding... 

My fiance suggested hay bales for our ceremony seating, and it immediately turned on a light bulb. I was picturing the entire lawn covered in these huge, textured blocks draped in brightly hued fabrics. And then I saw this picture, which confirmed that our idea is not completely ridiculous! So what do you think? Creative alternative to the standard rental chair? Or too uncomfortable and prickly to force family and friends to sit upon?

(Image via The Knot)

Hot Clutches

I need both of these super chic, gathered suede clutches. Immediately. They are the kind of accessory that makes me look forward to the transition to a fall wardrobe!

Via Topshop...

A Pretty Party

Such a pretty party. If you can believe, this was for a 1 year-old's birthday! The aqua and gold color palette is so perfect with the vintage decor. And the patterned runner... perfection!

Via the very cute event blog, Lolliblog...

... And A Pretty Room

Via Caitlin Moran Interiors...

Girly and Graphic @ Moschino Cheap & Chic

(Moschino Cheap and Chic Resort 2010 collection via Style.com)

Steal of the Week

Hefty and glamorous, this necklace is also, best of all, easy on the wallet! For under $20, you can add a little Michelle Obama style to your wardrobe. I already picked one up for myself... it's even better in person! From our friends at F21...

UPDATE: Wow! The necklace is no longer on the site. Either they sold out, or Tom Binns is suing for copyright infringement! Oh well, you can still get the necklace in stores...

Fabulously Fun Rooms

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There's just so much stuff to look at in these delightfully busy rooms from interior designer John Loecke. I love rooms packed with patterns, color, and especially, knicknacks! Boy, are those things found in spades here. Oh and if I am ever lucky enough to find a tortoise foot stool like the one below, then my search for quirky home items will be complete. Because nothing could be better than a turtle foot stool!

(Images: John Loecke Interior Design via Desire to Inspire)

The Long and Short of Bridesmaid Dresses

As a girl who loves fashion, I can't help but be immediately fixated on my wedding attire. For the bridesmaids in particular, I am looking forward to dressing them in colorful, chic and unique dresses that suit their individual styles and personalities. One thing I feel super-strongly about is that they are not in matching dresses. I don't know what it is, but a group of women over the age of 30 wearing the same dress (or even ones in the same color!) just seems weird to me. 

Of course, we still need dresses that coordinate in terms of color and shape. For my wedding, I'd like to see the ladies in shades of pink and purple, with a similar hem length and fabric drape. I think these silk frocks, above in a more formal length and below in something more appropriate for a garden wedding such as mine, fit the bill perfectly!

(From top left: A.B.S. pink floral mist silk chiffon gown, $299; Vera Wang Lavender Label silk georgette ruffle gown, $417; Nicole Miller silk georgette "Ana Maria" halter gown, $396; Vera Wang Lavender Label plum ruched chiffon silk halter dress, $375; Laundry by Shelli Segal pleated silk beaded dress, $177; BCBG Max Azria lavender taffeta ruffle dress, $187.99; A.B.S. pink mist floral chiffon halter dress, $258; Tadashi amethyst pleated chiffon v-neck dress, $183; Nicole Miller hot pink sink sweetheart strapless dress, $165)

Bedroom Love

What a beauty! Love the greens, pinks and red all together. Designed by Joe Nye, via here....

Wedding Inspiration Board #1

Amongst all the engagement celebrating, I've been having some fun putting together my wedding inspiration boards. The first thing I usually think about when planning an event is print materials, so I've been pulling some of my favorite invitation images. What I know for sure is that I want a look that is eclectic, feminine and playful, maybe with a bit of a vintage carnival or circus theme. Funny animals (but no peacocks!) must make an appearance, and I want lots of bold color! My color palette is looking like fuschia and violet, with accents of tangerine, turquoise, chartreuse, green and black. Basically, everything you seen in the lovely Enfin, La Voila! seal image in the top left corner.

So cute, don't you think?! Lucky for me I have already hired an amazing designer, the super-talented Cheyenne Panzeter of LoveLeigh Invitations (she did my blog banner too!), so I am assured to have save-the-dates and invitations that fit my look perfectly. I can't wait to share more of my ideas as they come together, and can't wait to hear your thoughts!

(p.s. You can see a larger version of my board here!)

Vintage-Inspired Room & Invitations

This is like a "room-to-wedding invitation" post!  I love the mix of vintage pieces with black and Mid-Century elements in the space above. It segues perfectly into these ridiculously gorgeous French flea market-themed invites by Bird & Banner....

(Room via Living Etc. and invitations by Bird & Banner)