As we embrace a new year, I thought it would be fun to introduce a new color series, showcasing a new crave-worthy color each month. I am always so easily taken by a singular color and, therefore, have decided to catalogue some of the fun photos I stumble across along the way.
From fashion to food, I’m amazed at how a color can reach out and grab you…inspiring a new purchase, a new palette combination (for a wedding or guest bath) or simply a new appreciation.
Oh yes! And I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the new, fancified Art of the Occasion! After all, it’s only fair that my little blog as the opportunity to feel as pretty as the content shared. Thank you to Shari of Little Blue Deer for your patience and expertise!
I will be sailing the high seas with the in-laws again this New Years and without impending events requiring immediate attention I have promised Husband that I will be computer free for the entirety of this vacation – so with shaky fingers, a deep sigh and a tiny tear I bid my trusty Mac adieu…
I hope everyone has a fantastic New Year filled with beautiful memories, joyful love, ridiculous laughter, simple glamour, bold lips and inspirational dreams of what’s to come.
This is going to be the best year yet.
PS: The Art of The Occasion will be debuting a bit of a facelift in 2012…hooray!
We are just starting to embark on the always thrilling design phase for a lovely August 2012 client of mine. After a bit of investigation, loads of discussion only some back-and-forth, I put the following inspiration board together to use as a tool for future planning sessions (floral, printables, attire oh my!!)
With a naturally romantic color palette of cappuccino, whites and dusty pastels, my flower-obsessed bride and I will embrace gardeny blooms, lush foliages and possibly even a few wildflowers.
Sssssstill stuck at the office? Tell me you haven’t had a chance to finish your shopping…let alone even take a moment to get inspired and map out every last detail of your impending holiday get-together…as you had once hoped?
Here are a few simple ways to pull off the HoliDaze in a Hurry!
Make your way to any local Christmas Tree stand (seemingly around every corner?) and pick-up a mini tree to place in a prominent location: next to the front door, the bar cart, on the buffet for major drama. No need to bother with all sorts of ornaments, choose a few spools of ribbon in colors that work with your home and tie petite bows on a handful of branches. Why bother yourself tangled lights, broken heirlooms or storage! (Yea, yea, the fabulous white columned home also adds to the perfection…)
1. Find yourself a delicious holiday scented candle. I adore Illume’s Balsam and Cedar. The holiday scent is a lovely welcome as guests arrive.
2. Forget stocking the bar…offer a single alcoholic beverage along with some sparking water and lime slices. I recently made a pitcher of a Cranberry – Pear Bellini that was divine. I kept the pitcher chilled by keeping it nestled in a large bowl of ice between pours. (Here, I rimmed my flutes in red sanding sugar. Dip and spin the rims in lime juice then dab in granulated sugar. Stay away from green or blue – they stain ladies’ lips!)
3. No time to work on setting out a variety of hors d’oeuvres? My go-to quick gourmetish snack is fresh popped popcorn topped with butter, a hint of truffle oil, finely chopped rosemary, cracked pepper, sea salt, and shavings of parmigiano reggiano.
4. We all wish we could whip up a fantastic five course meal, clearly this time we need to keep it simple. I often turn to Ina in times of need. A one-pot entree such as her weeknight bolognese or easy parmesan risotto are simple crowd pleasers that are surely elegant enough for a holiday or celebration. Add a salad of mixed greens, stilton crumbles, fresh honeycomb (a recent obsession) and a light balsamic dressing and this once-daunting meal can be checked off the list!
5. Think of a few unexpected touches like putting mints in the restroom. Make sure you take them out of the container and display them in a beautiful petite bowl or salt cellar for an elegant presentation.
6. Who doesn’t love Oreos! Display dozens of the crunchy cookies arranged as a tower on a petite cake plate and serve with ice cold milk as a playful, fuss-free alternative to an expected dessert.
7. Find yourself a wreath that can be used from year to year and hang in the center of a window, framed in a mirror or over a piece of art. Use command hooks and ribbons to hang.
Don’t forget the seasonal background music! I am loving Zooey Deschanel’s album, A Very She & Him Christmas or the always dreamy Michael Bublés’ most recent holiday album, Christmas.
And one additional tip – keep the shopping to a minimum – nearly each of these items can be found at Target for a bit of a one-stop-shop!
One of my closest industry friends, the ever so darling, remarkably talented, incredibly driven Katie Kozlowski (founder of Dettagli Weddings) is joining the Bliss Weddings Team!
Katie brings her beyond bubbly personality, beautiful eye for style, scrutinizing attention to detail and genuine sensibility to our team.
Welcome, Lovely Katie!
Stay tuned for many exciting projects and happenings from us Bliss Girls!
With the holidays inching nearer by the day, I thought it would be appropriate for a little help! Now…perhaps this is the inspiration I need to get a legit move on!
Renny and I were treated to a delish lunch this afternoon at The Pump Room. While it proved to be quite the mid-day scene, I had just come from a long overdue cut & color and felt as if I partially passed muster.
The Pump Room is housed in the incredibly chic Public Chicago, formerly the Ambassador East. The menu was created by renowned chef, Jean-Gorges Vongerichten and features fancified favorites that are absolutely approachable. A few of the original Pump Room’s menu items are still on the menu, simply re-imagined by Genius Jean-Georges, along with many newly created items as well as some existing dishes taken from Jean-Gorges’ other successful restaurant, abc kitchen. They are working on a rooftop garden to further support their farm-to-table concept.
Mixed muted metallics, grainy wood, orb-like chandeliers and unexpected pops of kelly green dress up the Pump Room.
The bar at the Pump Room casts a golden glow on it’s already glossy guest.
The former Pump Room was frequented by the likes of Sinatra & Bogart during the Golden Age and while the vibe is decidedly current and fresh (not a lick like the old space), I hope our dear city (with the help of chic spots like this) can attract our own modern day Grant’s and Hepburn’s.
The Ambassador East has been reborn as Public Chicago, conceived and designed by Ian Schrager (known for other hotel hotshots like the Delano, the Sanderson and the Paramount, to name(drop) a few). The bones of the hotel remain (along with the stunning molding!) with the rest having experienced more than a major facelift.
There is such a feeling of serene chicness – crisp bold white paired with worn mirrors and warm woods. It’s perfect.
The gorgeous lobby features bright white walls, smokey mirrors and a repurposed clock that runs backwards…back in time.
My favorite room may be the Library, set with cozy couches, faux fur lounge chairs, a flickering fire and rustic wood touches.
The Library Bar serves espresso by day and trendy spirits by night. PS: Bottle service available in the cozy screening room, late night.
The rooms are incredibly simple, white on white on white.
“What do you do when a couch gets dirty?” “We were told to throw it away.” Crazy talk.
(PPS: The one bedroom suites are simply perfect for bridal parties.)
While I’m disappointed there isn’t any event space that can hold more than about 50 people at once, the hotel itself has me seriously smitten.
(image credits) photos from public chicago collateral
A favorite client couple, Jordan and Lee, got married this September at the Chicago Botanic Garden…my absolute 100% favorite venue. Family and friends were the focus of this simple and elegant affair. Here are some of the beautiful photos that Brett and Kiri of Pen Carlson captured.
The bride and her girls got ready at the Ritz Carlton, where their every need was seamlessly attended to.
The ceremony took place at St. Mikes in Old Town, where the couple are longtime members.
After a run one early morning over a month prior to their wedding, I stumbled upon St. Mikes – and the shield of scaffolding that enveloped the building. I was so nervous to share the ugly news with the couple, who had been planning their wedding for nearly 2 years…but to my relief they were more than OK with the rough look of the buildings’ exterior…The groom is on the board that approved the project!
The only flowers used throughout the wedding were a combination of cream and ivory roses: vendela, sahara and ivory majolika. Touches of autumnal foliage added the slightest hint of contrast.
After the ceremony, we shuttled all guests up to Glencoe, the home of the Botanic Gardens. While guests arrived about 30 minutes prior to the cocktail hour, we had our stationer do a rendering of the garden with the couples favorite spots highlighted on the custom map. Guests were welcomed to wander the grounds as formal photos were taken.
Guests were invited to the cocktail hour by the unique sounds of a traditional Greek trio, a nod to the grooms’ heritage.
Guests entered the English Walled Garden (one of my favorite spots at the Gardens) through the dramatic oversized blue gates. Love!
The innovative hors d’oeuvres that Culinary Landscapes created could barely circulate the setting, guests were swarming servers for more delectable treats. Here, individual bites of caprese salad were finished with powdered flavored olive oil (Chef is a major molecular gastronomy nut), tomato soup was paired with grilled cheese and foie gras bites clad in cotton candy. Seriously!? So fun. So yummy.
Guests found their seating assignments pinned to free-standing boards covered in moss.
Dinner and dancing took place in the tented setting of McGinley Pavilion, overlooking the serene pond.
Gold candelabras were simply and naturally adorned with curly willow branches and bundles of roses, finished with heaps of flickering candles.
Worn gold cups also detailed the tables, filled with vendela roses, liquidambar foliage and seeded eucalyptus.
The bride and her father had the most special and heartwarming relationship. He was in heaven as they danced to My Way.
In addition to a delish cake, a massive family cookie table was assembled with dozens of family members contributing their favorite homemade Italian and Greek cookies.
The party was fantastic, never anything but a packed dance floor – thanks to a fun crowd and the Larry King Orchestra!
J&L are madly in love and were such a fixture in my life (after such a long engagement) that I miss them terribly!
The day was simply perfect…precisely what they deserved.
