Cobalt shoes + the Emerald City

No matter where you get married, we think it's important to capture the personality of the city, as well as the personality of the couple.  This photograph by Cory Parris is so perfectly fitting for the sleek Seattle wedding he shot. Hazy skyscrapers in the background contrast so beautifully with those deep blue peep toes... ah! We are in LOVE with this shoe shot!!

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*Image courtesy of Cory Parris Photography

Seattle bound

Mmmonday! Alas, the week is here. As mentioned last week, I {Anna} am packing up and heading west for the next 8 days. Quite the adventure awaits me starting in Seattle and I couldn't be more excited! As much as I adore living in Boston, there is something so comforting & calming about my home town. Yes, the lack of vitamin D and emo-culture largely contributes to the aforementioned calming effect, but spending time with some of the sweetest friends a girl could hope for is what I'm most excited for. Who am I kidding, I'd be happy bundled up inside talking for hours on end... but we'll likely be hitting up the favorite Seattle spots, some of which include the following:

{clockwise from top left: Cafe Vita; gum wall; Dick's Drive in; Pike PlaceGreat Seattle Wheel; Molly Moon; Fremont Troll; Elephant Car Wash; Fremont signs; Easy Street Records}

Yes, while sipping on the city's finest coffee, we'll play tourist and admire the quirky iconic signage, oooh and awe over how stunning Mt. Rainier looks and soak in every ounce of northwest culture that I can handle. The Great Seattle Wheel will be one of the first stops.

For those of you who have never ventured to Seattle, it's a must see! This city guide I stumbled upon over on Elephantine Blog is a fantastic place to start picking apart the city, neighborhood by neighborhood. Ciao for now!

Featured: Paige & Jon

There are few things we love more than hearing that our beautiful clients got a shout out on Style Me Pretty. This time is no exception and Snap! Photography was working their magic as usual to perfectly capture every detail. Paige & Jon's wedding was absolutely drool-worthy and we hope that you soak up some soft, blushing inspiration from their elegant day.... 

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And because we like to think that there can never be too many pictures of stationery, we couldn't resist sharing some more from the gallery. :)

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*All images courtesy of Snap! Photography

Jet Setting

This week is just flying by faster than ever and since I {Anna} am heading out of town next week, I have all things travel on the mind. Packing for an 8 day trip to Seattle, Portland and San Diego is proving to be quite the chore and my mental check list is taking up way too much brain space. You know what I'm talking about. So we're having a little "travel edition" on this Thursday Purse day because I can't help but to dream of sporting a sophisticated luggage set such as the Private Jet II set from DVF...

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It's not that I don't adore my current oh-so-preppy powder blue luggage, it's just that something chic from DVF would be much more fun!!! In order to help ease the burden of packing, I stumbled across this adorable packing list from Pinque blog...

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Indeed, this should help. And if you have traveling in your future, I highly recommend joining me in printing out & using this checklist too! Happy Purseday!!!

Ivy + Aster trunk show

Thankfully finding cute bridesmaid dresses is not as difficult as it used to be- thanks to places like Bella Bridesmaid!! If you're in search of dresses for your ladies, this is the place to start... and better yet, for New Englanders this weekend the Boston location is hosting an Ivy & Aster Trunk show!! Stop in Friday 9/28 - Sunday 10/1 {hours below} and check out this beautiful line of frocks that are great for that bohemian, romantic, "rustic" bride. These short bridal gowns are just making our jaws drop... or wouldn't they be super cute for a getaway dress??
We love the whimsical look of these bridesmaids & social dresses. The color palette is amazing for doing different shades of the blushy neutrals and or rich, delicate pops of color. They even have some adorable prints- Polka Dots, Stripes, and even Butterflies- take our word for it and check them out!!
Oh gosh and of course, don't forget to check out their stunning bridal gowns! Trunk show hours: Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-4. Hope to see you there!!
*All images courtesy of Ivy & Aster

Loafer lovin'

It's official: Fall is upon us!! Though initially skeptical of the loafer {slight variation of the penny loafer} we've grown to love this fall-friendly flat that has now fallen on the "must have" list for this season. I mean, how adorable is this look?!

Thakoon Addition Sweater

Bauble Bar Earrings

Mother Denim Skinny Jeans

Michael Kors Leather Strap Watch

BCBG Loafer

Our hunt for the perfect pair is on... now to decide whether to go with solids or a fun print?? What do you think- are you a loafer lover yet?

Game on!

Well hello and happy Monday!! Hope you had a lovely little weekend. While perusing wedding ideas just the other day, I stumbled upon one of my all time favorite games for barbecues, birthday parties and then realized that it's foolish to deprive a wedding of such a fun activity: Corn Hole! These custom corn hole boards are beyond adorable and would be the perfect little addition to a rehearsal dinner, wedding day festivities or even a thoughtful gift for the newlyweds.

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There are a slew of customizable options, but the ones over at Style My Corntoss are pretty stinkin' cute!

Tea time

Every girl goes through a phase of loving tea parties, starting at a very young age. Let's be honest, who remembers their first tea set?! I do!!! Yeah, well my "phase" was completely revived while studying abroad in London in college. Taking tea at the iconic Savoy Hotel was beyond my wildest dreams- every sip & nibble was magical due to the exquisite surroundings & phenomenal service. After a recent site visit at the Ocean House, where we just barely missed tea time, I've been determined to make a way to enjoy this age old tradition while catching up with the ladies.

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And because a tea party would be the sweetest inspiration for a bridal or baby shower, this little DIY from Everything Fab would make for the perfect take away, don't you agree?!

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Bringing it back

The other day, our dear friend Erin {from One Two Summer} came over and was toting along a cobalt blue backpack in lieu of a purse. Now, let's preface this by saying that Erin could convince me to buy into just about any trend... it's kind of ridiculous how this girl seems to make everything look brilliant. Ridiculous and awesome! Had I not already started to notice this throwback style returning, I would have been massively skeptical, but some of the lovely ladies of Boston have been rocking it around the city. What do you think- would you dare bring back the backpack?

{1} Nine West- $75

{2} Dooney & Bourke- $188

{3} Madewell- $248

{4} MCM- $920

{5} Longchamp- $125

 *All photos from respective sites

 

Choosing flowers

Today, we're on the topic of flowers. Beautiful blooms will add color & texture to the big day, and can have a huge affect on creating the ambiance you want. But let's be honest... aside from knowing what's pretty and what smells nice, flowers are a mystery to most and when starting to work with a florist, it helps to have even some basic knowledge as to what certain flowers are called. Hence, we've found this lovely little flower glossary to be quite helpful in starting the communication.

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And it's important to remember that your favorite flowers might not be available, depending on the time of year you get married. Tragic, I know!!! But this list of flower suggestions for each season can point you in the right direction and your florist will absolutely guide you in creating the perfect bouquets, bundles & centerpieces!!

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The Venice Biennale

Art, Architecture, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater, oh my!! Having been around for over a century the Venice Biennale is one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world promoting avant-garde and contemporary art. This year’s festival and exhibitions are just teeming with design and inspiration on so many levels!! Looking at what these creative minds have showcased from all around the world is unbelievable! You can’t help but feel inspired by what they done, and it’s giving us loads of motivation and inspiration to try something new. From the Russians “i-city” to Norman Fosters ‘Gateway’ exhibition and the dance performance of 'Awakenings' these are just a few highlights from this year’s festival.

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I hope to go one of these years! What venue would you go see??

Rustic Chic at Riverside Farm

Today I'm so excited to share one of my favorite rustic chic Save the Dates that we designed for an upcoming wedding. Working with {bride-to-be}Allison was such a treat. Not only was she the sweetest gal ever, but she loved thinking outside the box to create her and Don's one of a kind stationery. We were thrilled to incorporate a sketch of their wedding venue & use fun fonts to keep the look simple & elegant. Through foil printing white on kraft paper, we achieved a texture and rich finish that is even more stunning in person! And custom stamps... well, you know how we feel about those! A perfect cherry on top!!

*Photos courtesy of Laura Ashbrook Photography

Incorporating heirlooms

We're so excited to have our dear friend Juliana guest posting again today to share her insight and inspiration for incorporating heirlooms into the big day! Enjoy this special Wedding Wednesday feature!! A wedding is one of life’s most significant events, and one that will become sewn into the fabric of your family history. The incorporation of family heirlooms into the big day is a way of honoring your past, as well as a way to begin to create your new future. Even seemingly small gestures can have a big emotional impact, and give family members a way to feel included. I have outlined some ideas of ways to incorporate personal family objects to made the big day extra meaningful for everyone involved. This goes well past the old adage: “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” we hope you enjoy it.

Perhaps the easiest way for the bride to incorporate a heirloom is to wear a special family piece of jewelry, such as a set of rings, bracelet or necklace. Wearing a vintage heirloom veil is also a great option {for some veil ideas please see our previous blog post}. An heirloom is also something easy for the groom to wear as well.  A special watch, cuff links or pocket square can become part of his ensemble. At my own wedding, my father actually wore his father’s shoes.

I also love the idea of taking a special embroidered handkerchief, or even a small piece of a family wedding gown and using it to wrap the bouquet. A larger piece of fabric or ribbon would also be wonderful to use as a sash or belt around your wedding gown.

Another great idea would be to use the buttons from a vintage ensemble (or even earrings) and converting them into shoe clips. (Costume jewelry would work best in this case, you wouldn't want anything to happen to a priceless heirloom on the dance floor!)

If someone in your family has a large china collection, Incorporating some of the pieces into the centerpieces and floral arrangements is something that can be truly beautiful and gives your guests the opportunity to see your family’s history. If you have many tables and only one or two special things, this could also work really well at the escort card table or near the guest book.

And don't forget the idea of making new heirlooms for the family you are now creating together! I love the idea of embroidering a patch to sew into the lapel of your groom’s suit or tuxedo, right over his heart. You can also create a matching patch to sew into the bodice or hem of your wedding dress. Since the patch is so small (and removable!) it can be framed, stored with your photos, and even sewn into the wedding ensembles of future children or grandchildren.

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Juliana Jacobs is a freelance fashion designer in New York City, where she lives with her husband. Most recently employed at New York & Company designing shirts and blouses, Juliana also has designed clothing for Amanda Bynes and Sarah Jessica Parker. While planning her own wedding this year, she rediscovered her love of lace, tulle, and all things letterpress, and has designed wedding veils for both herself and friends. Follow Juliana on tumbler and on Pinterest for more inspiration!

Foldable wellies

The transitional seasons of spring & fall open the door for some crazy weather here in Boston. If you're a New Englander, you know what we're talking about- one minute it's a gorgeous 75 degree sunny day and before you know it, the dark clouds have rolled in and your hot shoes are about to drown in ankle deep puddles. The uneven, brick sidewalks sure don't help either. Ah, we love to hate and hate to love the quirkiness of our city! Well, regardless of where you live, you'll probably find an appreciation for these clever Foldable Wellies from Redfoot. Yes, THANK HEAVENS, we now have the option to roll 'em up and throw the boots in a bag so we can don our cute shoes post work and post rain storm.

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They come in basic black and ruby red {our fave}, shown above. Though it's hard to part with the Hunters, this is the beginning of something beautiful.

Find It Rich In Bali

There is something about its mystic charm, colorful culture and picturesque landscapes that draws people from near and far to Bali. In the cultural heart of the island lies this weeks Honeymoon Hotspot, the Amandari. Sitting high above the Ayung River gorge outside of Ubud, one can expect to find luxury, seclusion, and romance here. You will be transported to a beautiful Balinese village, meandering down pebble walkways and enjoying the local aesthetic, scents and materials of coconut wood, teak and alang alang grass. The pool suites come highly recommended here, as they have private outdoor salt-water baths overlooking the river. What a way to relax!

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While here you can take one the famous Amandari cooking classes, which includes a trip to a local market, go hiking nearby in the rice terraces of Ceking, find cultural treasures in Ubud, and even get a guide to take you to Mount Batur for an early morning sunrise. Expect to experience the natural and cultural riches of Bali here.

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Would you consider Bali for your Honeymoon Hotspot?

Here's to brunch

These 4-day weeks just fly by!! Hopefully your week has been quick and painless... and now we're off to enjoy another weekend! Tomorrow in celebration of a dear friends birthday, we're going to toast to the year ahead at a ladies brunch. Brunch happens to be one of my favorite meals and I'm just rearing to indulge in all things breakfasty... including a bellini.

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If you'd like to start your Saturday or Sunday with one of these delicious White Peach + Cardemom bellini's, you'll need these ingredients:

* ½ large white peach (roughly chopped) * ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice * 1½ tablespoons sugar * 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom * Champagne * Edible gold glitter stars {obviously}

Visit Everything Fab for the specifics on how-to make & pour the perfect drink. Cheers!!

Gilded Leather

What goes best with your fave LBD {little black dress}? Well, besides a pair of saucy heels of course, a breathtaking clutch is an absolute necessity. We spotted these incredible Bottega Veneta gems and we're still hanging on every last detail. Indeed they are a splurge, but can we pretty please try to rationalize the gorgeous gilded leather with this adorable waxed leather knot closure?!

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Yes, this would make a statement indeed. But alas, at $1300, it will sit on the wish-list until we can find enough "pros" to outweigh the con of going in debt for this work of art.

Pretty Paper: Custom Map Save the Date

Lately we've been hearing that many weddings are more than just a one day event, especially when there will be a lot of out of town guests. Kimberly & Dan are a prime example and when they wanted to incorporate one of our custom maps with their schedule of events & accommodations, we found the perfect solution for their elegant affair.

And picture those black envelopes beautifully calligraphed in a white paint! Agh! They were stunning!!! I'm excited to admit that we have several other custom map Save the Dates in the works... stay tuned for more fun pictures of pretty paper! Happy Wedding Wednesday!!!

*photos courtesy of Laura Ashbrook Photography