mantle envy

image from desire to inspire

This is the first Christmas in our refurbished living room. I am so grateful for the beautiful farm table, refinished hard wood floors, new furniture, the perfect ceilings and walls (had no idea how happy a non textured surface would make me) and the sparkling Douglas Fir christmas tree.

Is it too late to add fireplace to my Christmas wish list, Santa? Check out the most complete thumbnail image library I have seen of fireplaces in quite some time here. Mantle envy, for sure.

{erica}

love this.

As always, 100 layer cake delivers more delicious morsels.

The charm and details are darling~

Glasses of milk served up with dessert buffet of cookies and pies

hand stamped paper bags for guests to take home photo keepsakes

laterns with the pretty patina

comfort food that hits the spot

backyard party at a family home

adorable, creative couple

wedding sparkle.

What are your plans for the weekend? Forecast is promising 3-5 inches of the white fluffy stuff here in New England. It could really make Christmas tree hunting all the more festive! A bit o sparkle for holiday wedding? This image captures it beautifully via Seven Eight. Stunning.

urban chic.

We are looking forward to a birthday soiree this Saturday for a friend. At the bottom of the uber-hip invite for a night that promises to be fantastic, the dress is described as 'urban chic'. Love that descriptor. But now, I feel the pressure to pick that perfect outfit.

When it comes to weddings, that pressure can be tenfold as brides try to find that one look, that one style, that one gown. Maybe a bit indulgent- but why not get more than one? This concept is not new. In traditional Indian and Japanese weddings, it is customary change into more than one dress on the wedding day. Love it when old world tradition backs up an indulgence.

It may seem extreme to change completely so more and more we see brides simply add a new design element to their gown. We filmed a beautiful Newport wedding this summer where a very elegant, strapless silhouette gown took Michelle down the aisle but a rouched one shoulder strap from Vera Wang brought her onto the dance floor. Beautiful! Here is Michelle in her gown walking down the aisle with her dad:

And later with her husband while peeking in on the wedding party introductions and dance moves. Love the Michelle Obama-esque inspired one-shoulder strap

Or what about these darling dresses?
I could picture these at a New York City loft reception.

Elegant. Hip and yep. Urban Chic.

{erica}

wild wedding venue.

What else is there to do on a sunny and downright balmy late November afternoon then visit the zoo? Come noon on Sunday we were on our way to the Roger Williams Zoo with two first graders in tow. For me it had been years (decades?) but what a treat. While not the Providence Zoo is not really the ultimate in animal accommodations-it was well laid out and the wild animals seem generally content, clean and comfortable... a big plus as I am torn how I feel about the zoo concept, at times.

It never ceases to amaze me the enthusiasm you can tap into when you build a day around six year old girls. Lucy C. (ours) and Lucy T (her BFF- who, by the way, refer to each other by first name and first initial of their last name in case there is any confusion) were off and running.

The monkeys made us giggle with their teenage boy kinetic energy and clowning antics while the mama and baby giraffe were pure feminine elegance with their long eyelashes, gentle affection and graceful necks. It is easy to understand after a day at the zoo how Pixar gets such great inspiration for their animal animation.

I've always thought it would be fun to host a big event at an established Metropolitan Zoo and the creative inspiration you could have with invitations. Alas, on the new (to me) favorite blog, Erin Ever After today- she was all over it. Not for everybody, but how cool is it to have creatures big and small, nearby and in the far corners of the zoo settling into their evening rituals with their families- somehow a part of your wedding day?

{erica}

holiday season begins.

The first day of December has arrived and while the snow in New England has not, the seasonal rituals are in full swing. The hectic holiday pace has a way of creeping in but the simple joys of unpacking the sometimes decades-old ornaments, the smell of fresh evergreen and the first lighting of the newly decorated tree are peaceful holiday moments we all live for.

As you begin designing the season- these images might be timely inspiration and creative solutions to holiday decor limitations we face like when...

... lighting every exterior border of your home is just not that appealing for the light installer or the neighbors. 'Joy' template and instructions found on Martha Stewart

...you have small spaces or want something more whimsical or modern in some of your living areas. Image via Coastal Living Magazine
...you want to avoid the inevitable leftover-white-light-trail hanging below the greens. Make Douglas fir sprigs into a snowflake shape and leave the lights for the main act...the tree and garlands. Sunset Magazine tutorial

...there is no fireplace with which you can hang your stocking with glee. An antique cherry picker ladder idea via Coastal Living

For the last remaining weeks of 2009- we will be sharing some of our favorite new wedding highlights of the year and some fantastic collaborations/ projects we are working on.

Happy December!

pale and interesting.

I am definitely not a tschotkes girl ( chach'keys: had to google the spelling myself because it looks so wrong). I think of tschotkes as little things that are supposed to be sweet but just collect dust. They always seem to have the best intentions but are rarely staged and styled well. This site out of England, Pale and Interesting I first found on Decor 8 may change my mind. It has a fresh, lively and relevant approach to decor with the 'little things'.

The husband and wife team has a philosophy that seems the perfect approach to incorporating different generations and both bride and groom into wedding decor. It is all about mixing it up, teaming old with new, contrasting rough with smooth and pairing femininity with utility. Tschotke inspiration.

{erica}