Bride's Blues

Bride's Blues
Originally uploaded by taracargleashcraft

Blues are usually paired in a classic palette such as blue and white and though you can never go wrong with the ever stylish combo, here is a slight twist. The palette is primarily inspired by the platinum and blue couch by Anthropology.

Strawberry Chic

Strawberry Chic
Originally uploaded by taracargleashcraft

Blue Orchid presented a challenge to us designers who are all about the inspiration board. Her task: do not use actual wedding photos in your boards. We're bringing creativity back (please read/hum/sing that to Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back for the full effect). Some of us who are used to using wedding photos are having trouble with the challege: see the white chairs in this board!! Yikes. I'm trying.

Cocoa, Canteloupe and Carolina

A natural setting (minus rain) is my favorite backdrop for a wedding. Here is a natural combo of cocoa, canteloup, and carolina blue hues.
Credits:
Chocolates from The Knot
Blue Lantern from Domino
Pillows and Vase from Pottery Barn
Coaster from Wedding Favors
Other images from Brides

Pretty In Pink

Pinks and greens are a classic and natural spring and summer combo. Making the palette personal is what will make it shine. The flower balls hanging from the trees are just gorgeous. Check out the funky bouquet. I'd add a green ribbon to "tie" it all together.
Loving the idea of the curtained cereomony area. Also, the hanging flower motif can be intertwined here as well.
Get your groom to wear pink! It is so hip and hot!!!
Second wedding, out of the ordinary bride? Wear a pink dress! I love the pink princess shown here. It is stunning and sweet.

For more colored dresses, click here!

Credits
The canopy is courtesy of the Bridal Guide..
Pink and green garden-inspired dresses from The Knot.
Other images from Brides

Daily Candy posted a great little piece about Live Wire Farm. As part of our Go Green campaign we've touted the wearing of wood rings. Check these out by Live Wire Farm. Guess what? They are only 30 bucks! Sounds like a great V-Day gift.

Fancy Fruits

Yummy combo of raspberry and tangerine. A great color combo for early fall or late spring or even summer depending on your details.
A deep shade of raspberry as pictured in the primary dress photo makes the combo fall ready. Lighter hues of raspberry are appropriate for spring and summer.
The strawberry shortcake in the picture makes this a summer delight. Add some orange slices and you're totally in your palette!
The butterfly motif throughout this board is just plain fanciful. I imagined the butterflies hanging from the ceiling of the reception site or in a tent.
The flower girls also have butterflies in their hair. Too cute.
Remaining in the fruit motif, check out the adorable little pots of raspberry sorbet. If you're looking for something not so "wedding cake-ish" the pairing of the fruity desserts pictured here are a delightful change of pace.
Perfect location? A butterfly garden of course!

Credit Where Credit is Due:
Flowers found in J.Crew
Sorbet containers from Vivre
Flower Sachets from L'Artisan Parfumiere
All other images from Brides

Platinum Power

Combining two hot hues, olive and platinum are a dynamite duo.
Favorite Things: What a fabulous tent!!! The decor goes beyond your basic fabric liner and is truly a brand new space. The chandeliers are gorgeous without being ostentatious. Clearly, to customize the tent to the palette, there would need to be a focus on the olive hue, but it should stay clean.
The platinum suit!
Crystal embellishments in the bouquet. Look for a local jewelry maker who can create crystal embellishments appropriate for your style.
Credit Where Credit is Due:
Olive Dresses by David's Bridal.
Other images from Brides magazine.

Caribe Chic

I'm back! Yep, after a week of relaxation and rest (siestas to boot)I'm back online. Not only did I have a fabulous time in Playa del Carmen sipping carribbean cocktails, visiting the Mayan ruins, shopping, sleeping, and sunning, but I was also greatly inspired by the culture and area of Playa and its surroundings. The laid back yet totally chic lifestyle will be woven into upcoming designs. Can't wait to share the vibe. Here are few pics from our getaway.

Canary, Cobalt, and Cocoa

What a beautiful palette this is. Perfect for fall and doable for spring. I've always been a huge fan of the shades of chocolate, but was looking for a different spin than I've seen lately. Hope you like it.


Credits:
Color Blocks from Pottery Barn
Canary Flower Girl Dress from Sweet Beginnings
Cobalt Dress on right side from Group USA
Cobalt Dress Couture Collection
All other images from Brides
Do Me A Favor:
On the left hand side, you will see a selection of chocolates. For any bride who is including this rich and warm color, chocolate favors are a definite must. I love having a variety of chocolate for guests to choose from. A chocolate bar with candies, cookies, and cupcakes would be one sweet spot.

Rethink Red

Red is a power color (ask Tiger Woods who only wears red shirts on the last day of golf tournaments) sorry, I digress. According to Info Please red is "the most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love." We use it for Valentine's Day, hearts, and to represent the passion of love. So, it is a perfect color for weddings. The great thing about red is that it can be used in so many various palettes. This one of turquoise and radiant red is totally fun and tres chic!
Credit Where Credit Is Due:
Red and turquoise dresses in board from Impression Bridal.
Placecards from Wedding Favorites
Red Tini from Brides
Red flowers in white bowl from Pottery Barn
All other images from InStyle Weddings
Individual red and turquoise dresses from JCrew
Cup, Saucer, and Chocolates from Cox and Cox

Go Green! Organic Beauty Products Marie Claire has reported on some of their favorite green beauty products.

Sun and Sand

As my hubby and I are gearing up for a trip to Playa del Carmen in the upcoming weeks, I can't stop thinking about sun, surf, and sand. Clearly, the inspriation for today's board.
Credit Where Credit is Due:
Passport to Love (paper products including plane ticket invite, reply postcard, booket with love story, wedding weekend info)from Inbox Design
Flower cupcake from Short Street Cakes
Shell cupcakes from Confetti Cakes
Blue Fish plate from Dee Things
Pillow and Vase from Shanghai Tang
Orange Invite from Mia Carta Stationery
Luggage Tag from Baekgaard
Hibiscus Invite from Mountain Cow
Other images from Brides
What I Love:
The Starfish esocort "cards." They triple as favors and table decor!
Boutenaire-The coral and tiny ribbon are more "manly" than flowers and tie the theme together seamlessly. The seersucker suit it is attached to is just to die for! You have to have one fashionisto fiancee to get him into it, but it would be worth it!
Check out Kenzie Kate for more sun and sand inspiration.
Fun Stuff:

Daily Candy featured some tres chic bags on their site. Check them out at poketo for purchasing info.

A Shade of Their Own

Loving the bridesmaids in various shades of purple. This is an awesome trend and creates a gorgeous one color palette for your event.

Thanks to:
Cupcakes by Short Street Cakes
Dishes by Mikasa
Invites by Luella Press
Other images from InstyleWeddings

Do Me A Favor: Two great ideas here. One that doubles as decor which is always a plus. The small potted violet can be used as part of a centerpiece and then given away to guests as a token of your appreciation (plus it's eco-fab). Also, the small bags of purple candies are sweet and in the palette!




Check out Parisian Events' green tips of the day!

An Apple a Day

Being an addict of immediate gratification, I forged my old school ways, and created this inspiration and creation board online (hold your applause). My bonus daughter brought my red throw from downstairs and threw it onto my black, white, and apple green bed. I have dark oak furniture with black accents. Suddenly my room went from good to great. The red made the room. Thanks to my Punkin' for her decorating assistance. I'm in love with this red, brown, and green combo.
Thanks to:
Bouquet from Sage Painted Bouquets
Bridesmaid Dress and Flower Girl shoes from J.Crew.
Invite from Wedding Paper Divas.
Apples, Barn, Pine cones, Chocolate all stock images.
Do Me A Favor:
Why not give away an apple for a late night snack...or for those of us who forgo fruit for something more dangerous, chocolates are a perfect sweet ending to an event.
Inspired Ideas:
Fruit makes for gorgeous centerpieces or anywhere decor. For this event, I would go with rustic wooden buckets full of both green and red apples. This is a great cost-saver...especially if they are then used as thank you favors.

Green Day

I create my inspiration and creation boards as old school collages. I thumb through mags, books, newspapers, and catalouges of all kinds and cut away. I know it is old fashioned and maybe one day I'll change, but doing it this way inspires me. Plus, I also get lots of "assistance" from my 2.5 year old bonus daughter....that said, if I miss credit someone or something, please let me know. Hope you enjoy this greenspiration.
Favorite Things:
The Cake (searching desperately for bakery responsible for this delight. will keep you posted)
Wooden Rings by ANDM
Invites by Kate Spade
Dress by J.Crew
Wooden candle holders, white distressed tin, potted play by or found in Pottery Barn
Chocolates, escort cards (use recycled paper and house in organically grown grass), planted favors, boxed/Polaroid guest book, boutenaire all from Brides
Potted tree from Martha Stewart
Do Me A Favor: Love the potted plant idea as a green favor for guests. These are also inexpensive ways to give to your friends and fam as well as Mother Earth.
What You'll Need:
Small Clay Pots
Small plant
tag/label/ribbon (Stay in your palette and personalize the message)
Inspired Ideas:
Grow your own organic grass and use for all sorts of displays at your event or even in your home. Grass adds a fresh punch of color!
The wooden rings pictured in the board are beautiful and inspired me to look for more:
dragonmooncrafts
Simply Wood Rings

Kona Kool

Inspired by other bloggers, designers, and those who love all things beautiful, I've decided to create my own boards for inspiration and creation! A special shout to Snippet & Ink for their daily dose of beauty!
Credits:Today's images were found in Brides and Brides Honeymoons and Weddings Away. Thanks to them for their great work.
I love the warmth that this board radiates. If it is as cold in your neck of the woods as it is here, then you will also appreciate the heat radiating from this piece. Love how the yellow theme is carried out from the bride's dress to the many other details you'll find here.
Do Me A Favor: Kona Coffee for All
What it is: Kona is famous for their amazing coffee beans. What better way to welcome and wake up your guests than with bags of Kona beans beans ready for brewing?
What You'll Need:
White Craft Bags
Kona Coffee Beans
Yellow Stickers/Ribbon/Labels

A Pic's Worth a 1,000 Words...or More!

If you're like me you have what seems like millions of pics stored away in your camera or somewhere in cyberspace. So, what to do with all these captured moments? I took some creative license with articles found at www.marthastewart.com and made them event friendly.

Personalized Tote Bag-Need a BM gift? Why not create your special gal a tote that's perfectly "them?" It's easier than you think. If you're having a summer wedding, find a pic of you and your bud sporting bathing suits or lounging poolside. Upload or scan the pic, use BASIC editing software to doll it up. Print on transfer paper. Transfer the image to a canvas tote per the manufacturer's instructions. Voila! Fill the bag with summer goodies-beachy books and magazines, sunscreen, lip balm, beach towel, list of recommended summer tunes, recipes for tropical drinks. Don't forget a personalized note expressing your gratitude and affection for your BM. Easy to switch up this project so that it matches the personality of each of your BMs. Got a green friend? Create her a shopping bag to avoid the unnecessary use of paper and plastic bags. Got an exercise addict? Make her a cutie gym bag to sport.

Need something in addition to or in place of the photo? Try a patch. We found some cute ones at the following sites:
Patches for Your Sweet Tooth
Cravin' Sushi? Scroll down on this page to locate three rolls!
Don't forget to peruse EBay for vintage finds!

Favors That Stick
Create magnets from bottle caps for favors to your guests. These are great for casual events like backyard weddings. Scan or upload your pic and print on labels (see instructions provided by label maker) that will fit inside the etched edges of the bottle cap. Attach a small, flat magnet with strong glue to the backside of the bottle cap.