Nautical Dreams...

Nautical never really goes out of style. Navy, creams, with a splash of red and you have a chic outfit for sailing around town.

Nautical Dreams by simplyna featuring Dior

Diane von Furstenberg Alondra shirt dress
$238.01 - net-a-porter.com

Long Crystal Anchor Necklace
175.00 GBP - brownsfashion.com

Show Fabric shoe
235.00 GBP - brownsfashion.com

Oversized Sailor Tank
10,290 JPY - eruca.jp

Sailor Tank
4,725 JPY - eruca.jp

Dior - Wide Leg Sailor Pant - eLUXURY
$1,070.00 - eluxury.com

Large Nautical Purse
6.00 GBP - newlook.co.uk

Lorelei's Red Stripes Nautical Charm Bracelet
emitations.com

Sailor Platform Shoes
newlook.co.uk

Bubble Bees: Yellow & Brown

Bumble bee baby showers are perfect whether you're expecting a boy or girl. I've created a board in yellow and brown, but for a modern shower you can use yellow and black.
Guests can arrive to the classic "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Okay, that may be a little much, but bright yellow flowers against a brown or black background will catch your guests' eye.
For party favors try skin care products from Burt's Bees, bees wax candles, or a jar of honey.


Images Via: 1st Row, Bee Invites,Cake, Unknown 2nd Row, Candle, Centerpieces, Cupcake

Bridal Blog Awards

Wedding Channel Announces Bridal Blog Awards.... Vote!

Smooth as Ice

With the weather heating up, why not treat your guests to a nice surprise? Shaved ice! It's refreshing, unique, and a fun treat for your guests!

Where to get shaved iced? Hula Girl Shaved Ice

Fashion Fridays: 60's Chic Bride

This hip, sophisticated vintage collection comes from our lovely bride Sana. I love the shades of cream and deep reds together. Thanks for sharing your vision!




Fantastic Cream Silk Shantung 1960's Cocktail Dress w/ Embroidery $175.00 - vintageous.com
Pearl Earrings $600.00 - monalisapearls.com
Valentino Shoes 760,00 EUR - colette.fr
Brooches www.wristielove.etsy.com

WristieLove...So Mod

WristieLove home of "The 'Mod Corsage'. "A hybrid of the old school corsage and your favorite piece of jewelry, and array of other wedding accessories with and without fresh flowers."

Started by one of my lovely bride Sana, she creates modern corsages from repurposed material, recycled fabrics, trims and metals. Perfect for all you green brides!






Where to buy: WristieLove

Strawberry Fields...

Perfect inspiration taken from nature, strawberries! Red and white, with accents of green or soft pink makes a sweet theme for summer weddings.

Images Via: Sugar Plum Invitations, Sugar Plum Invitations, the Knot
2nd row: The Playground, the Knot, The Playground
3rd row: Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, Unknown

"Stick Together"

These sweet candy sticks from Navy and Lavender make great favors for any occasion-birthdays, sweet sixteens, stocking stuffer, etc...  

Don't you love the seersucker napkin?  I see an inspiration board idea coming on!

DIY RUSTIC WEDDING CENTERPIECES

I adore all things rustic and natural, and with the economy still hurting I guess, I should figure out how to DIY.  Once Wed as created a simple way to make rustic cake stands or centerpieces.

What You’ll Need

A Cross-Cut Wood Plaque (round or oval)

A Cross-Section of a Tree Limb   (Make sure the top and bottom are parallel)

Titebond Ultimate Wood Glue (or a similar extra strong wood glue)

A Large Wood Clamp

Instructions

Cross-cut wood plaques can be found in your local craft store or online at Hofcraft. The come in a variety of sizes ranging from 5 inches to 12 inches in diameter.   They are usually found in the section with the wood-burning kits and other wood crafts.  They are clean, sanded and ready to use.

1.  Take your tree limb section and wipe the cut surface clean.   Put a generous amount of extra strong wood glue on the surface. (see figure 1)

2.  Place the limb section in the center of the back side your wood plaque and press down firmly.  Wipe away any excess glue with a clean, damp cloth. (see figure 2)

3.  Place the two joined pieces in a wood clamp and let dry for at least one hour.   If you don’t have a wood clamp, you can stack a few heavy books on top of your pedestal until it’s dry.   (see figure 3)

4.  Use your pedestals to display cakes and desserts (see figure 4) or use as a base for a centerpiece.   If you want to place food directly on the wood surface, coat it first with a food-safe wood sealer.  If you would like to keep the wood it’s natural color, place a piece of parchment paper beneath your cake or dessert.

What it Cost

Wood Plaques $3.99 - $5.99 each

Tree Limb - Free from our wood pile!

Wood Glue - $3.35

Enchanting Fairies

This wedding struck me as so magical and enchanting I actually dreamt about it last night. Photographer Elizabeth Messina showcased this fairy tale wedding on her blog Kiss the Groom.

I had the pleasure of working with florist Tricia Fountaine last year, and am sure she was in heaven creating this enchanting wedding!  

Marrakesh House

I touched on the Marrakesh House in Friday's post.  Here's the skinny on the newest green venue for events and weddings.  Located in Culver City, adjacent to California's newest state park, this 4,300 square foot venue blends artistic expression and environmental values.   

I have many Morrocan items in my house and I wish I could put it all together the way interior designer Charlotte Jackson has.  The tea temple is the perfect place to hold your ceremony with your guests seated around the pool and lawn. You may also choose to have cocktail hour or dinner around the pool.  

What makes this space green?

Exterior

• The landscaping utilized permaculture techniques. The plants used need little water, are native, or are edible trees and bushes. By trimming a neighbor’s overgrown cactus and replanting the trimmings along the edge of the house, plant life was rescued and introduced an additional plant that does not require water.
• Existing trees were pruned and the pruned branches were used to created fences around the property.
• Low-flow irrigation is used outside to water the edible and native plants that require water.
• The retaining walls around the property are all made from waste materials from other construction sites around the city. No new materials were purchased for the retaining walls.
• Cement path walkway blocks were reused, rather than pouring new walkways.
• Reclaimed barn wood was used for gates and privacy partitions around the property.
• The organic living food garden is a three season garden with a variety of edible plants. The wood used to create the planters in the garden uses non-treated lumber from Trex and post-consumer milk crates.
• A two panel solar thermal array heats enough water for four people on average. The hot water tank is 97% energy efficient stainless steel. An on-demand hot water heater is used in the kitchen. No other gas or electric water heaters are used in the house.
• The photovoltaic (solar) system on the roof produces enough energy, about 30 kwh a day and 11,000 kwh a year, to supply approximately 60% of the house’s electricity.

• Interior

  • All the wood used in the house is FSC certified (Forest Stewardship Council).
  • None of the paint used contains VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds).
  • The cabinets in the kitchen and bar are made of FSC formaldehyde-free bamboo. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable product that grows to maturity within 7-10 years.
  • All insulation is fiber glass BATTS, a silicon-based formaldehyde-free material and only formaldehyde-free drywall paper was used.
  • The lighting in the house uses a low-tech approach incorporating high-efficacy (provide more light with less energy) lighting by using compact florescent (CFL), cold cathode fluorescent (CCFL), tubular fluorescent (T5), IR halogen MR16s (IR MR16s), and light emitting diode (LED) lights.
  • Lighting controls (dimmers and motion sensors) save electricity, make lamps (light bulbs) last longer, and turn them off when not needed.
  • Toilets in the house are low-flow to reduce water consumption.
  • The original kitchen cabinets were recycled into new bathroom cabinets.
  • Stone floors were laid because they will last for thousands of years.
  • Three electric vehicle charging systems were installed in the garage

Party Eco-Style at the Marrakesh House

I was lucky enough to attend the Marrakesh House luncheon yesterday.  There is so much to tell you about this great location, but I'll devote an entire blog to that on Monday.  In the meantime, Chris Paine, director of "Who Killed the Electric Car," is having his grand opening house party there tonight.  Be sure to check out this amazing green residence and event location. Entertainment includes NAKED RHYTHM, DANYAVAAD featuring Indiriani, KCRW DJ TOM SCHNABEL, BEN LEE, and Marrakesh House resident DJ Evil. Live animals courtesy of the WILDLIFE LEARNING CENTER, providing outreach education in wildlife biology.

Party starts at 6:00 pm. See you there!

where to purchase tickets: Brown Paper Ticket

Fashion Fridays: Lifes a Beach

Boho Chic is the perfect look for the beach. The aqua and nectarine colors are an eye- popping combination for a honeymoon on an exotic island.Swimsuit, swimwearboutique.com 

Turquoise Shell Studs with Rubies, ylang23.com 

 $2,830.00

Etro Tribal print tunic, net-a-porter.com 

$605.00

Superb Vintage 1970s Ted Lapidus Paris Tortoiseshell Sunglasses,love-worn.com 

STANDARD UTILITY TOTE, mytheresa.com 

235,00 EUR

Jimmy Choo Plush embellished sandal, net-a-porter.com 

$895.00

Green Mulitrow Bead Bracelet, Turquoise Bead Multi Necklace, missselfridge.com 

35.00 GBP

 

What I like...Down the Rabbit Hole

I've never been a cake topper girl, but if they had these when I was getting married I would have definitely bought theses quirky, off the wall cake toppers from artist Melabo.  

 She also has unicorn head grooms, owl groom & squirrel bride, groom with receding hairline, among others.  Fun and wacky, right up my alley.

Where to buy: Esty

Real Weddings: Amber & Greg part ll

The beautiful bouquet of bloomed cream, blush, and peach roses was wrapped in cream silk with rows of pearls.




Guest were treated to a three tier organic cake made of hazelnut and fresh raspberry. The cake was lavishly decorated with orchids, and shades of pink and cream roses.




Love the tribute to the Beatles "Abby Road" Album Cover