The right keys

Happy Monday darlings! How was your weekend? Hopefully full of festive fall traditions and relaxation!! Left and right, we've been checking things off our "Autumn to-do list" and this weekend called for a little leaf peeping outside of the city! We bundled up and headed up north to Newburyport- a charming little town on the north shore. A day of poking around in antique shops, eating yummy seafood and admiring the bright foliage hit the spot! One antique shop we were in had a pile of old keys that I'm just kicking myself for not buying. Of course now that the opportunity has passed I'm thinking of TONS of ways I could have used them. Not that I'm planning a wedding but I just adore these escort cards tied to skeleton keys with satin ribbon!! So cute!

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And apparently there are even ways to use them as home decor, which looks oh-so-simple and is perfectly intriguing since I'm re-decorating my room. Adorbs, right?!

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Or just in a line on the wall? Still SO cute! These may be gracing the walls of the Paper Moss office soon...

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Well, thanks to Etsy, I found a pretty cute variety of vintage keys from Ohio Picker... as well as a goldmine of other antique goodies. Who knew you could go antiquing online?!

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Thanks for sharing in our latest craze! How would you use vintage keys? Any new ideas? Please share!

Wedding inspiration: Plum & Lime

Happy rainy Wednesday, friends! We have some fun autumn wedding inspiration for you today. For those planning a September, October or November wedding, you inevitably face the decision of whether or not to have a fall-ish fall wedding or a NON-fall-ish fall wedding. While there is something so cozy and elegant about a color palette of warm tones, we've been dreaming up some alternative routes and there's just something so exquisite about this one!!

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By using the deep plum as the main color, adding pops of lime and grey can keep it laid back and fun while swapping out the grey for black and gold accents can make it a more elegant affair. LOVE! What do you think??

Have a fabulous day! xo

A Ranunculus Monday

Wouldn't it be great to start using ranunculus as an adjective?! It might not stick, but these flowers are so bright & cheerful that today, in our little Paper Moss world, we're using it as that. {Synonyms include: cheerful, silly, fabulous, rad, etc.} It's a Ranunculus Monday because we should definitely start the week out with these colorful little blooms! They come in just about every color of the rainbow and in my humble opinion, they are a perfect flower to add a fun, funky splash to any wedding!

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What's not to love??? May your Monday be Ranunculus!

Well Wed

Happy Wednesday, lovelies!! We definitely did a celebration dance recently when we saw the latest issue of the Cape & the Islands edition of Well Wed Magazine. It's truly a beautiful issue packed full of AMAZING ideas and stunning inspiration!! One of the most exciting parts however, is having one of our recent inspiration shoots included!!! We worked with Tyra Bleek Photography, Becca of Petal Floral Design and the lovely ladies at Boston Bridal Lounge to bring this bright & beautiful "Winter Rainbow" concept to life.

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Gorgeous, right?!! We're obsessing over this color palette! Another one of our fun invitation suites was included in the "Minty Fresh" inspiration board. Loving this cool & romantic combination!

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These photos only scratch the surface... get your hands on an actual copy by ordering here! Thank you to Well Wed for showing us some LOVE!!! :)

Oh Nantucket!

One of the best things about living in Massachusetts is how close Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard are. Perfect for a weekend getaway, a weeklong excursion... or the wedding of your dreams. When Michelle called us last Spring, explaining her vision for a nautical Nantucket-red invitation suite for her big day, it was clear as day that we could bring it to life. These designs were so fun- especially drawing the detailed map {shown at the bottom} and we just HAD to put together a little inspiration board!

If you're planning a seaside event- Nantucket or otherwise- we hope you find some inspiration!!! A big CONGRATULATIONS to Michelle and David on their recent marriage!!

{Photo credits starting from top left, clockwise: Paper Moss {via Hello Love Photography}; Iris Photography; Cupcakes & CashmerePaper Moss {via Hello Love Photography}; Katie Pietrowski Photography; Once Wed; My Recipes; One Kings Lane}

Crunchy leaves & such

We've had some weird weather in New England these last couple of weeks- everything from grey sky to torrential downpours to gorgeous sunny days! All this and there still happens to be a pile of crunchy leaves waiting outside the door. Are you as excited as we are?! What is your favorite fall tradition?

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We hope you have a fabulous fall-filled weekend planned! Weather permitting, we're eager to snag a seat outside at a cafe to enjoy the bright colors and crispness that's approaching! :) Happy Friday!

Fall fell this weekend

Fall is officially here and to mark the start of the season {AKA: the fall of Fall}, we each partook in some "festive" activities this past weekend. In true celebratory form, Emily and some of our friends gallivanted at the apple orchard, enjoying the abnormally hot temperatures we had, munching on apple cider doughnuts and of course, they managed to fit in an impromptu harmonica dance session. I {Anna} however, was on the other spectrum of "festive" activities and had the annual stuffy head-hearing-loss, blowing my nose every 5 minutes and watching way too much television type of fall weekend. Yes, it was full of Emergen-C, soup and Kleenex. On the bright side, I get to enjoy fresh, sweet apples without the effort of picking them myself!! Naturally, while sitting at home I started thinking about what delicious seasonal treat I want to make...while recipe surfing, I came across this Caramel Apple Cake:

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... and OMG, I'm thoroughly convinced that it will be the best thing I've ever baked. Join me in trying this ahhh-mazing seasonal treat? Perfect for a dinner party with friends or a fall birthday celebration!

*Photo & recipe courtesy of Pass the Sushi

Just do it

It's been one of those weeks... ya know? One of thoooose weeks. Yeah we're slightly happier than usual to see the word Friday on our calendar today and are raring to go for the weekend! As the final hours of this work week depart, we leave you with some scandalous words of wisdom to inspire some weekend creativity.

Marilyn knows best, right?! One of our favorite ways to be a little ridiculous is to wear party dresses just for fun- you don't need an occasion to rock it! How ridiculously gorgeous is this gown? Though it's a wee bit dressier than what we would typically wear, it drives home the point beautifully.

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Be a little ridiculous this weekend... think outside of the box! Whatever you do, smile a lot! xo

The best numbers

It's Wedding Wednesday!!! Today we couldn't possibly be more excited to share some of our favorite table number ideas to inspire some thinking outside of the box when pulling together those wedding plans. There are so many fun ways to tie a wedding theme together and some of the following ideas are just adorable additions to a centerpiece! What is the most unique table number that you've ever seen??

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A little goes a long way

Well lovlies, we made it to Friday yet again! These short weeks just sneak by so quickly!! What fun things do you have planned for the weekend? The other day, we came across some sweet "common courtesies" on Emily Post and it got us thinking. It's easy to get so busy throughout the week and at times we forget how true this is:

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Emily Post reminds us that the best way to show your appreciation for someone is by doing something unexpected, thoughtful and kind. These "common courtesies" are an easy place to start:

  • Say “Have a good morning” to the server who’s been pouring cups of coffee since 5 a.m.
  • Help your son or daughter pick flowers {from your garden, of course} to give to his or her teacher.
  • Want to thank your grandma for the sweater she sent you? Put that digital camera to good use and show her how really great it looks on you.
  • And last but not least, SMILE! Make it a habit to show your appreciation and make others feel good by flashing those pearly whites. It’s a simple gesture, but it can have the greatest impact of all.

It's amazing how far these common courtesies go! With that etiquette inspiration, we send you off into the weekend! May it be full of fun & relaxation with those you love the most! :)

All that glitters

Can you believe it's Wednesday already?! These short weeks just FLY by! A few weeks ago, we were confronted with this question: Can "metallic" be a color scheme for a wedding? This caused us to do some digging {see below} and now without a shadow of a doubt, we believe that it could be a gorgeous elegant fall or winter color palette. We're just loving the cool silvers and pewter alongside warm bronze and glittery golds... not to mention that the lighting would totally set the tone and create an ultra-romantic ambience!!

Have you ever been to a metallic wedding?? Would you ever choose this as your color palette? We're dying to know your thoughts!

*Photo credits are clockwise starting at the top: The Brides GuidePolka Dot BrideLostRitzy Bee; Kelley Moore Creative MediaConfetti SystemPretty Stuff

A little 1920s inspiration

Monday, Monday! We made it through the hurricane, but with all of the excitement & preparation for the extreme elements we didn't mention the AWESOMENESS that took place on Friday. The ladies at Magnolia Pair put together a dream team of vendors to bring to life a vision & inspiration for a romantic 1920s wedding. When they asked Paper Moss to design the stationery & signage for this inspiration shoot, we jumped, twirled and hollered at the opportunity to join in the fun! Here's a little peek at what they dreamt up...

And we loved creating these cute signs to highlight the prohibition era cocktails!

... Be sure to visit Magnolia Pair's blog for the real deal!

*Photos courtesy of Magnolia Pair

Meet Lucia K.

Happy Friday, darlings! Today you are in for a treat! Our friends from Lucia K. Jewelry stopped by to share some of their most beautiful creations with us. We adore perusing their site for fun hostess gift ideas or bridesmaids accessories.

Similar to us at Paper Moss, they do {AH-mazing} custom work for brides too! Check out this GORGEOUS necklace that was designed for one bride!

After seeing so many beautiful designs, we couldn't resist asking Kirsty Papdopulos, the woman behind Lucia K. a few questions about her company.

1. When did you start making jewelry?

I've been making jewelry for myself and friends and family for as long as I can remember. Those close to me have always encouraged me to take it a step further and start a business. It wasn't until about a year and a half ago -I was 8 months pregnant with my second child and had stopped working my "day job" and a jewelry buyer just happened to ask me about a necklace I was wearing that I had made, that is when it all came together and Lucia K was born.

2. What inspires your designs?

Inspiration comes from lots of places for me.  I definitely love to take cues from vintage pieces, and not necessarily jewelry. For instance, in the house I grew up, my parents had this crazy macramé side table, that hung from the ceiling, the beaded macramé influenced my crystal and silk necklaces in the Vivian lines and Nora lines.

I also have this amazing fabric and trim store near my house that I often just wander through, some of the stuff I happen upon there is incredible, the detail that used to go into textiles, definitely gets my creativity flowing. I keep my ultimate goal in mind- to help a woman elevate her style and make her feel more confident. She needs to feel great when she puts a piece of Lucia K. jewelry on!

3. Where do you find the materials that you use?

I definitely need to touch and feel and hold my materials, so I am very hands-on with what I decide to use. Something about an items weight or sheen, really play into how it works in a piece. With prices of metal going up, its difficult to keep costs down and still present a quality product. Some vendors that I return to time and again are Midori Ribbon, love their dupioni silk and grosgrain ribbons, their quality can't be matched, also Thai silver from the Hill tribe, Czech and Swarovski Crystals.

4. What are currently your favorite pieces?

The piece I am wearing most often - Ginger Copper Bib Necklace, the length works so well with so many necklines, the color is great for those who aren't quite ready for gold but want to branch out from silver, and it gets attention! Currently my favorite earrings are the Juliette Aquamarine Earrings or the Patricia Earrings- a little rocker mixed with freshwater pearls is a great combo. I'm loving big earrings right now, my fall line will be full of them!

And here are a few more of their beautiful pieces... check out the website for the full scoop!

Thank you so much to the lovely ladies at Lucia K. Jewelry for sharing some inspiration with us!

*All photos are courtesy of Lucia K. Jewelry

Shower inspiration: Pink + Green

Being a bridesmaid is the ultimate honor... and it comes with responsibilities. Along with helping your bestie plan her big day, you also get to throw a few special parties in celebration of her. We loved the idea of bridal shower with lots of beautiful blooms and strong geometric patterns, lots of pink and just the right pops of green!! Such a fun and cheerful palette for a spring or summer shower. This board is for you, bridesmaids!

{Photo credits clockwise from top left: The KnotPatterson MakerInspired Design;

A Well Traveled WomanSusan Gage CateringPinterestBake List}

The happiest decoration of all

Pinwheels have got to be the happiest decoration we've ever seen. They seem to make everything better with their colorful, playful shape spinning in the wind. Lately we've seen a few ways to incorporate pinwheels into weddings {or other events} and we couldn't resist sharing such cute ideas! Though time consuming to make them, this can be a super cost effective decoration and depending on the style of the wedding it could be a great way to repurpose old books, magazines and bags.

{1} As a back drop:

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{2} On the cake in lieu of flowers:

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{3} Add some sassiness to the beverages:

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{4} Spice up those bouquets:

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{5} Use as escort cards:

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{6} On favor boxes instead of bows:

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Now that our wheels are spinning {pun intended}, we can't stop thinking of ways to incorporate pinwheels into daily life! Any and all ideas are welcome!!

Let's have a ball

In light of one of our dear friends being in the midst of wedding planning, we found ourselves searching for a fun D.I.Y. that would create ambience at the outdoor reception. We think these yarn balls from Wednesday Custom Design add the perfect modern flare and though they're messy to make, they're super budget friendly! Hang them over the dance floor, string them with lights, line them over dining tables or even use them for centerpieces.
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You'll need:
- Balloons
- Sharpie
- Scissors
- Cotton yarn
- 4oz. White school glue
- 1/2 cup of Corn starch
- 1/4 cup of Warm water
- Something to stir with
- Petroleum jelly
- Clear fast drying spray paint
- Hanging lamp cord or fishing line {depending on your desired final product}
- Container for mixing
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For the step - by - step directions, visit Wednesday Custom Design. If you dare to replicate these yarn balls, we wish you happy crafting!!
*Photo courtesy of Wednesday Custom Design

Pretty purple!

After recently finishing some gorgeous Save the Dates for one of our international clients, we just keep coming back to their pretty purple color palette. We've been loving all the shades and just CAN'T GET ENOUGH! Seriously, what a perfect way to transition from summer {with a light shimmery lilac} to fall {with a spunky reddish plum}?

{Clockwise from top: Much Love; Chanel Purse; RingMuch Love; Cake}

What shade of purple has been captivating you lately?

Y'all ready for this?

Happy Monday! Hopefully the weekend pumped you all full of rest, yummy food and lots of smiles. We've been pondering these words of wisdom from Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson and figured it was just the thing to inspire a great start to another busy week.

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Ralph Waldo Emerson

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With that being said, we hope you have a very ENTHUSIASTIC week! :)

Wish you were here

All summer we've been on the search for the perfect textured tote that can tag along to the beach, go to the SoWa Sunday market or even fit for a casual dinner with friends. I think we've found it! The Wish You Were Here Tote {at under $50} fits all of the criteria- and mom would be so happy to know that it even zips shut at the top. You can never be too cautious, right?

As we were dreaming up the possibilities with said bag, we realized just how adorable it would be with the safari-inspired look that's been popping up all summer.

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Now you're all ready for a safari! Ok, well maybe the attire isn't actually safari- appropriate, but if you decide to go on one, you'll be lookin' hot while making those travel arrangements!!

A delicious Boston tradition

Happy Monday everyone! How was your weekend? After a few days off, we're feeling rested and rearing to conquer all that awaits! Well, sort of... Last night marked the end of a 5 day staycation with some west coast guests who came to tour Boston. One thing that always works into conversations with visitors is Boston Cream Pie. Although this infamous dessert originated at the Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston, I must say that after recently trying it there, their recipe didn't do justice to how it has evolved through the years.

It got us thinking: how cute would it be to make mini- Boston Cream Pies?! Well, here's one for the recipe box friends. Pastry chef, Penny Stankiewicz let us in on her recipe {via Design Sponge} and these little beauties are perfect for a dinner party, birthday party, holiday or a perfectly plain Monday night! Love the new spin on this old tradition!

{Recipe via Design Sponge}