I heart... Valentines! {and chocolate}

I know that it is a really really cheesy holiday. I know that florists and Hallmark are making a killing... but I can't help it. I think that it is WONDERFUL that we've decided to take an entire day to be kind. to reflect and perhaps obsess over "love". Whether you say it with flowers or with chocolate... or a fumbled message within a $5.45 card.... just say it! I love taking today to pamper myself... to remind myself of why I fell in love with Mr. Oh Happy in the first place... and to step back from "reality" and delight in that feeling of giddy, hopeless courtship- cheesy roses and teddy and all! If you don't have a Valentine today, then draw a warm bath, light a few candles, and toast to your own accomplishments!

I heart.... flipbooks

So in my quest for generating ideas for MY wedding... I came across FlipClips... as many of you are aware, we are planning our wedding around the fact that we were high school sweethearts- and thus we are incorporating many retro elements into the day. We have been struggling with ideas for a creative engagement announcement... and I think that a flipbook is just the answer! How does it work? Go onto the site and upload a 15-30second movie clip... the clips are then converted into still frames (75 frames for 15 seconds)... then pick a cover design and message- and voila! You have yourself a flipbook in the mail. These can also be really great for thank-you's afterwards. Just have your videographer do a 30 second "highlights" edit of the wedding- The possibilities are endless, really....

We are going to take this concept even further by incorporating "flipbooks" on our website as well... Benetton Play allows you to make simple animations from basic drawings- and Flip allows you to combine video, audio, pictures, and drawings to create a multi-media presentation... our website is going to have the "look" of a high school notebook and we'll have little animated doodles on each page.... we'll be making them re-appear on items throughout the wedding such as place cards, menus, etc.... We really do not take ourselves too seriously so I think that it is great for our wedding to reflect that as well....

Good Luck and Happy Planning!

I heart.... Cheeky Pinup Photography & Our Vets

I love vintage pinups- especially cheesecakes from WWII... and try to keep up with some of the modern pinups and burlesque gals throughout the nation... they are just the perfect mix of glamour and cheeky humor - thus I was so very thrilled that one of my dear friends informed me that she has decided to do a calender for her fiance... what fun! She's taken elements of their courtship and asked me to help style a 12-month ode to their relationship... which she'll be giving him after their wedding...

I really love this idea- imagine a glamorous photoshoot based around YOU... with all of the over-the-top sex kitten hair and makeup that would be too risque for the wedding... imagine a reason to buy all those adorable pieces of lingerie that are just not "bridal" material... and imagine the suprise on that groom's face when he sees that though he is eternally bound to the woman of his dreams- there are 12 more months of "fantasy gals" to safely enjoy.... just a thought....


and if you should have enough moxie to do such a thing... keep in mind the following:
1. Research the Photographers in your area that do the vintage pinup style. There are many shady operations that "claim" to be pinup photographers. It is my suggestion that you view their website.... see their portfolio... and get referrals. I have had several friends disappointed with ameature shots.... remember that the price tag is NOT the best way to choose a photographer but that too good of a deal is a good indicator that the quality will be lacking. The photos above are from Vivas Pinups.
2. Bring a friend! Or a sister... someone that is there to know your comfort zone and willing to tell you the TRUTH about what is flattering and what is not. It is important to know the fine line between classy and distasteful... Most photographers are great about this... but it is always good to have another opinion there- plus it will help to calm your nerves.
3. Bring lots of ideas... research research research... poses and facial expressions... if you want this to be more editorial in nature know that it is up to YOU to make it work- so do your homework!
4. Hire a professional makeup and hair artist! Part of what makes these so very glamorous is the fact that the makeup and hair is very period specific and over-the-top... should you try to DIY, do several trial runs and remember that you will be paying your photographer for their studio time as well... so it is very important to keep this in mind as you transition from one look to the next.
5. NEVER and I will repeat NEVER sign the disclaimer that gives the ownership of these photos to the photographer. I do not care that they are really reputable and that this is their standard operating procedure. See the pictures above? They are LOVELY- I think so too... and so do you... and anyone else that is reading this... or anyone that saw the numerous site links on google....I'm sure they signed that disclosure- get the picture? (most of these women are actually pinup models and I am sure that they are more than comfortable with the sharing of the pictures... however, my point is that YOU would be doing this for HIM and not so much for HIS BUDDIES with access to the internet...)


If you need any references for more information on pinup photographers, makeup, stylists, clothing, etc.... feel free to contact me and I'd be happy to help.

Alright kiddies... that about wraps it up for the night...

Jacksonville is a Navy town... and thus today was so very full of festivities. I hope that each of you took time today to honor the vets...

Designer Showcase: Dana Barrow of Fresh

I have contemplated waiting to post this until Monday- but it simply can not wait... on yet another break from my project this weekend... I have found myself rumaging through the world wide web..... and I stumbled across Dana of FRESH- based out of Vermont.... and I am so very in love with this design. I love flowers and appreciate a variety of different styles when it comes to arranging them.... but when I found this studio, I saw my own reflection and that was so inspiring.... these flowers speak to ME- they speak to the clients that I attract... some of them closely mirror my own designs, while others seem to be tiny beacons for what I hope to accomplish soon... I love the thought that is put into the designs- the colors, the textures, the precise placement of unique and exotic blooms. I love that there is a story being told by the flowers- and most of all... I really love that it is such an affirmation that I am headed in a positive direction in my own designs... I urge each of you to visit the site and be inspired for your own weddings- and an added bonus- FRESH is so lovely as to explain the flowers that are shown in their extensive portfolio, making it much easier for those DIY brides to mimick and also to tell florists what you want...

I heart... whimsical floral structures

Kristen of KBBD emailed me this morning with these adorable "Mum Poodles" that she designed for a small House and Garden Party hosted by Isaac Mizrahi. They made my brought a smile to my face this Monday Morning and I hope that they'll do the same for you. I know that Preston pioneered the "floral sculpture movement" what seemed like ions ago in the florist-world... but I still find them delightfully endearing and so very fun! I've done Over-sized 3D monograms of initials in Green Kermits and Orchids- such the perfect marriage of traditional and modern! I sometimes experiment with my left-over flowers after events and create glorious nothings. I believe that my fascination began when I was very young, on my first trip to Disney- where I was surrounded by the hedges shaped like Mickey and Pluto.... perhaps consider a floral sculpture as a centerpiece to an escort card table or guest book?

I heart... boutique hotels

it is true... we all have our guilty little pleasures... and mine are boutique hotels... I love them- what can I say? There is something so addictive about their high-end charm and style... all bottled up in a small package.... so when I came across The Zetter in London... I felt that I simply had to share... what a GREAT space for a destination bride... with all the great branding and packaging that the hotel has to offer- it would be relatively easy to brand you wedding with the same finess... and from the reviews that I have read- their food is supposed to be just as delicious as the decor.

I heart... Breakfast at Tiffany's

Spending my weekend with Audrey... a marathon of sorts... I could watch this movie over and over and never cease to be inspired... the color... the playful details... the perfect mix of sophistication and whimsy...I've had brides use it for inspiration before-but it almost always ends up being Tiffany Blue and White with minor inspiration from the poster-shot and every once in a while a cigarette holder favor... is that really all they get from the flick... am I the only one that sees the potential?? Imagine...

Bride's dress inspired by the "towel" that Audrey wears at the beginning of the party scene...
Bridesmaids in the absolutely fabulous "fiesta" hot pink number Audrey adorns in the hall...
They dance to Moonriver....
The decor is playfully ecclectic and inspired by nickle-and-dime finds
Cracker jacks are served on platters and champagne in vintage tea cups
Traditional statues are adorned with playful masks of flowers
Mismatched seating arrangements, perhaps a clawfoot bathtub-turned sofa or two
Graphic square lanterns with tassels overhead

Alright... enough already! I could go on and on... what movies inspire you?

I heart.... tufted anything

Alright so the last post had a tufted ceiling and I can't help but share my absolute adoration for tufted anything... there is something so sweet and luxurious without being stuffy... It's sort of like a strand of pearls- they will hold their own in a classy environment, but are able to add a little class to a casual situation as well.... so how do they translate to the wedding industry? Well...

Furniture rentals from Suite 206 (Unique Option Furniture in FL offers as well)... linen called Lighten Up (also available in Bublegum pink) from Tablewraps, Cake from Elegantcheesecakes.com and Dress is a Vintage find...

I heart... picnics

Alright... so the blog scene has sprung a new trend in brides... I have been approached with the idea of a picnic wedding twice now... and as the planning progresses and the logistics begin to outweight the glamour, it seems that the dreamy event turns into a mosquito-infested rainy ant parade.... However, when I found and-spring.com, I began aching for that picnic luncheon on a grassy knoll all over again... perhaps one day....