This seriously amazes me. And I’m thankful for this season of life [and season of the world], where everything and everyone and all of their creations are so accessible. Because Jenny Lee Fowler is incredible in my eyes.

The balance of precision and perfection mixed with the imperfection of nature [and life] is just beautifully, wonderfully, awfully inspiring today. Some other samples of her leaf silhouettes:

That little stem tip thrills me to squeals! I adore the detail of it all. And I want it framed in my house. Like yesterday.

Spend some time creating your stamp in the world today- art or not, it’s meant to be shared!

xoxo,

Say what you will about the quality of items from the college and newlywed shopper’s dream, Ikea, but this Swedish Ikea Cookbook will remind you as to why it became such an American sensation to begin with: the packaging.

These images from the cookbook are impeccable. They’re clean, nicely colored, perfectly aligned and hit me right where it counts. I could look at these all day long! Lines of straight, pretty sugar… boxes of milk [not even sure how they do that!], and more! Check here for more, but first love these, here, because I do:

Seriously, with the vanilla beans all lined up “just so”?? I am in LOVE. Appreciate the unexpected in today!!

xoxo,

Okay, okay.  So I’ve slacked a bit on my dollops….okay a LOT on my dollops.  But so many exciting things are happening here, sometimes it just doesn’t make the cut.  I’ll work on it though.  Promise!  But enough of my recent slacker-ly-ness, let us talk color palettes!! Seriously, one of my FAVORITE things is creating color palettes. It’s a little ridiculous how excited I get. I find color inspiration everywhere and sometimes in the most random of places. Take this delightful combination of colors.

I snatched up a booklet when I was at Jenny Yoo recently and just about keeled over when I saw some of her deliciously rich colors. And the limitations of a computer screen really doesn’t give them the glory they deserve. It all started with her divine Corrine Dress in Casper Blue Crinkle Chiffon. And then, because shoot me dead for all things monochromatic with a pop color, this little beast of a palette was birthed.

These next boards are for ACTUAL events that I?m superly duperly excited about.

First up, the oh-so-cool Christie who is getting married at her in-laws RIDICULOUSLY magnificent home in a just a couple of weeks [fantastically epic e-pics (haha!) coming soon!] . At our first design meeting she stated that all she really wanted was billy balls, so naturally we had to include THAT in the color scheme. Then we rounded it off with not-your-average fall colors. Red took a back seat to a lovely burnt orange and olive green gave brown the heave-ho. You should watch out for that olive green. Sometimes he tries to steal the show.

Now lets slow it on down and soften it up [I totally just sounded like a radio jockey introducing ?Stand By Me?, and really, how do you slow colors down? I need help. Quickly.] for Natalie?s soiree next June at the Brookside Equestrian Center. She wanted
Elegance. She wanted Romance. She wanted Class.  And so I gave her this…

Love these colors.  Love LOVE these beautiful brides-to-be.  I just love it all!

Any color combos that you absolutely DIE for?

How absolutely adorable is this little crafted paper from Paper Crave?? My research-friendly intern Kristen sent this over to me earlier this week just because she thought it was cute [which it is] and inspirational [which it is], and thus I’m sharing it with you here today!

I think these would make totally delightful save-the-date cards for two book lovers. Plus, it’s a good reminder for all of us who have been in a long-term committed [or marital- ME] relationship that sometimes we need to remember to check one another out still. Playful, whimsical, light-hearted fun. Divulge in some today and play tag or something!!

xoxo,

So I kinda lied. And I’ll say it… I’m sorry. But, I did- I lied.

I told Kristin that I wasn’t going to blog any images from her wedding. And that’s because we took it on, last minute, as a friendly favor to our friendly friend. But you know what… Kristin and Dustin are in LOVE. And they’re CUTE. And they’re totally blog-worthy. So, I’m blogging.

The adorable Kacee Geoffroy was on hand for hair and makeup. Kristin looked like an idyllic bride- seriously, a perfectly summer-toned August blushing bride! Of course, Kristin, being who she is, insisted on a first look moment for her and Dusty. San Clemente makes a pretty good backdrop, too!

FAV-O-RITE! Stop it, Bethany Belle, just STOP it! [Okay don't, seriously don't]:

Deets from inside the Ole Hanson Beach Club [helloooooo bunting with pictures- be still my heart!!]:

Totally adorable- am I right? Totally blog worthily inspirational, right?? I’m glad I got to be a part of this wedding, especially seeing Kristin and Dustin exiting so happily to a crowd of friends and family twirling glow sticks with shouts of excitement. Nothing beats moments like that in life!!

Thanks again to the fabulous vendors:

Beautification provided by: Kacee Geoffroy
Permanent Remembrance by: Bethany Belle Photography
Yummy Deliciousness from: Taco Dude
Beachy Backdrops at: Ole Hanson Beach Club
Killer Coordination with your fave gals at: In The Now Weddings
Coordinator’s Support by: Veils and Fairytales

Now y’all give a big HOLLA to the team that you’re putting together. Remember your day won’t be the same without their genius- creative or logical in nature. I’m always thankful for a solid team of vendors that respect one another and treat each other accordingly. A big HOLLA to my vendor friends!

xoxo,

Forgive me, y’all, but.. I’m gonna go there. I mean, there. That’s right… using myself for a Friday Lovely.

I blame a few people. First off, The Wedding Chicks. They’re who started it all. Plus, Amy made this mini tote pretty much on-command when we were mid conversation spurring one another on about this shoot [which was for their product catalog]. Then there’s the beyond-words talented ladies of Joie Lala Photography. They done put me over the top. Because this image is too cute to articulate:

I feel a little bit more “okay” with the idea of using me for a Friday Lovely because of these two heavy hitters and their contributions to the cuteness. But frankly, this picture is my favorite thing since 2009 [which was a pretty great thing]! I looove the Red Stripe beer, I love the colorful straws, love the popcorn, love the candy buttons and of course… LOOOOOVE the “love” tote! These mini totes are so ideal for bridal party gifts, makeup carrying cases, holding your gym shoes and so much more.

I’m totally jazzed that not only is one of my fave blogs, Style Me Pretty, carrying the line of merchandise, but they also featured the gorgeous [and stylish if I don't say so myself] images of the shoot on their blog! SO, thanks to Style Me Pretty for featuring the images and more than that- for selling the *delicious* WC Products! Go snag some, you’ll want to hug them for hours once you get them in person!

And now I shall end the pat-on-my-own-back moment. I can’t promise for sure that it won’t happen again… but hopefully they won’t always come from me! Heck- sometimes we all need a little self encouragement. I’m embracing it much like I’m embracing this Saturday OFF on a long weekend [don't worry, the industry sucks me back for a SmogShoppy Sunday wedding]! Love love a little bit more today!

xoxo,

The lovely Jamie and her wonderful beau Steve sat for a session with their wedding photographer,Kristin Rogers, for a cute little scene celebrating their engagement! I think y’all know by now that I, of course, *adore* when real life couples style their shoots and infuse character with personality into their pictures. So, it’s no surprise that I’m drooling for these images.

J+S are tying the knot in October and their reception is at one of my favorite LA hotspots- Union Station! More specifically the Fred Harvey Room there. Which, I adore. I worked there a few months back and the event was so completely stunning that I’m unable to post images of it. And it’s killing me!

This image, above, makes me remember why I love love so much. Just ooey and gooey in all the right ways.

Um, yes, even their stuff is cute. Because it’s theirs. And set up cutely in a field. And stuff.

Seeing these images is fully getting me PUMPED UP for their wedding! Jamie is kinda my D-I-Y doll [super human crafting powers, respect y'all!!], and I know their wedding is gonna be one big personalized bash!

I could honestly post here for hours…. but since I won’t [and I mean that in the nicest of ways seeing as Kristin's blog is totally worth the click to visit], here’s just a couple more:

And there you have it! The Idiot’s Guide to Being Cute Whilst Posing with Vintage Props in a Field. I’m serious. It works, just look at the results!

J+S: can’t wait to see you both again. I’ll need to resist the urge to pinch your cute little cheeks after falling in love with these images! Only ONE MONTH to go!

xoxo,

A.

Um. There’s a few things you should know about me. Don’t worry, I’ll keep this particular list short [though I could go on and on]. Here’s two:

1. I love anything ridiculously huge or inconveniently small.
2. I pretty much ADORE anything monogrammed. I plan all my weddings around my couples. Their style. Their names. Their initials. Their hearts. Their monograms!

So when I saw this in my google reader [aka "the googs" as I call it], I nearly called it quits in my day. Sometimes you just gotta throw up your hands and surrender. Realize that someone else has WON the battle. Because they did it first. And I respect it endlessly. Are you dying yet?? Well, here you go:

Oooooooohmygoodness with the oversized deliciousness that ARE these letters. I cannot stand them. I literally had to sit for them. Literally! Hoping to re-invent the wheel with my monograms in the way this couple did, just in the same way Simply Bloom Photography captured it.

Thanks to Leila and the gals over at Be Inspired PR for this lovely gem. I’m a more creative person today because of it!

Lovely Friday, y’all! Another weekend is on the cusp, another month is well on it’s way to us… and another day to love one another fully is in our midst! If that doesn’t deserve a YAY I don’t know what does!

xoxo,