Relaxation has been penned into my diary for the weekend. A must. Perhaps I’ll take a trip to the beach – where I hope to look as serene as these gorgeous girls.
{image credits} source unknown
Life’s A Beach.
Follow the Straight and Narrow…
The obsession never relents, luckily for me, there is no shortage of inspiration…
Soothing stripes with taupe an dusty blue.
{house beautiful}
Citrusy stripes.
{unknown}
Heavenly stripes by the pool.
{martha stewart}
Crisp stripes paired with worn pieces.
{camille styles}
Glitzy stripes add a whimsical glamour to a tablescape.
{coco kelley}
Flirty stripes, always better than prison stripes.
{oh joy}
Simple stripes that make for a bold statement.
{unknown}
Sun porch stripes
{rios clementi hale studios}
Subtle stripes.
{rue}
Figgy stripes.
{mabelle}
Horizontal stripes, a hint more unexpected.
{lonny}
Showy stripes…the inspiration for my powder room project!
{kate spade}
Afternoon Delight.
Cigar? Check. {A generous pour of} Bubbly? Check. Cutie fleur accessories {with a lovely demure drama in scale}? Check!
This picture is so me, I almost can’t stand it.
I’m still feeling celebratory after the sweetest wedding this weekend. Sure wish the weather would allow for a late afternoon cigar and a glass of champ to unwind and let my angry tootsies recoup!
{image credit} taken from stylish favorite, emersonmade
Wedding Preparations!
I am buried in teensy final details for the wedding of one of my most favorite and loveliest brides this weekend. I so hope the weather for their Central Illinois wedding holds up!
The bride is not only drop dead gorgeous {even when coming straight from yoga to planning meetings!} but her style and taste is Spot. On. I am over the moon with all of the charming details we’ve dreamed up and can’t wait for it to come together.
The wedding is taking place at the brides families’ country club – where they have been members for years. Cocktails, dinner and dancing will take place in a dolled up tent – of which you know I’m quite partial to!
I love this photo of a quietly sophisticated bride in her Vineyard gown and Patricia Underwood hat, under the shade of an elderly tree against a backdrop of a verdant golf course. I’m sure I’ll have heaps of equally gorgeous photos to share in the coming weeks.
Can’t wait!
{image credit} taken from martha stewart weddings
The Perfect Mom
{My gorgeous Grandmother & Mom circa 1952}
Today I celebrate my Mom – who gives me so much inspiration and drive. I am so far beyond grateful to have the very best friend I have in her, words can’t begin to capture it! She is the strongest, most intelligent {don’t let the goofy ditzyness fool you!} and most truly beautiful woman I know. One day I hope to be a mere fraction of the perfect mother that she has been to me.
Today I also celebrate my grandmother – Adeline – who is 94 years old and witty as ever. My mom and I recently came across her diary from the 1930s – pages filled with dates and suitors and an almost wild nightlife! The stories are endless and I’m so grateful to have her share them with me!
Today I also celebrate another wonderful mother – my Mama Supes {my mother-in-law!} While I hear horror-story-after-horror-story from friends with less than ideal relationships with their husbands moms – I am so grateful to not only have a wonderful role model but a forever friend in my mother-in-law.
And today I celebrate all of the new mommies that may be celebrating for the very first time – congratulations and enjoy this very special day!
The Alfresco Promise
The blinding early morning sunshine that started the day today seems, at once, to have welcomed the melodic chorus of cheery birds, a fresh leafy green fragrance in the air, and the subtle buzz of landscapers tending to green lawns {ok, or teensy patches here in the city}…An indication that we Chicagoans are finally able to bust down our emotional barriers that have protected us from repeat disappointment, and get our hopes up for consistently warmer temps and the opportunity to emerge, for good, from our mind-numbingly-long winter hibernation. Paired with a prelude of a true spring, comes the anticipation of many future evenings that will be perfect for dining al fresco – my absolute FAVORITE summer pastime. Here are a few images that continue to inspire optimism:
A table set with wisteria dangling from above is sure to make any meal taste divine.
While most of us don’t have a country lair – a rooftop terrace and container garden would be just fine?
Ah yes, tables set poolside with copious candles twinkling overhead…I’ll have to remember that one.
I love the perfectly coiffed pathway leading to the dinner table set under the shade of a massive tree.
And although we may not have settings quite as dreamy as those – here are a few of my personal favorite outdoor dining spots:
Picccolo Sogno – For an oasis-like patio and a seal of authenticity from the Italian government {oh, and don’t pass up the delish gnocchi con fungi}
Chez Joel – For a shared meal of co au vin and a hearty bordeaux
Pelago Ristorante – For their indulgent truffle risotto and a setting like a true Italian piazza
Erie Cafe – For a glass of wine and a cigar…really
The Terrace at Trump – For the most insane view of our gorgeous city and overpriced champagne cocktail
Boka – For a michelin star rated meal
Jam – For a hellofa wait on a weekend, but a hearty eggwhite omelet, artfully presented
I simply can’t wait.
{image credits} alleyway – unknown. wisteria – house beautiful. cityscape – martha stewart. pool setting – unknown. grassy setting – country living
Kate the Great – Bridal Blooms Worthy of a Princess
The obsession with gorgeous Kate Middleton has grown exponentially over the last few months, with the culmination of excitement coming to a head in the wee hours of the morning, as the world watched in sleepy anticipation to see if the silently stylish future princess would live up to everyone’s expectations.
Although many people may describe her dress as safe with an old fashion silhouette, I saw an instant connection to the glamorous gown of {my style icon}, Grace Kelly.
Kate’s dress, designed by Sarah Burton, Creative Director at Alexander McQueen was beyond appropriate for a bride in an ultra formal ceremony {one with millions of viewers/critics}. And although the dress may be a bit conservative, I adored the romantic lace bodice that felt a bit more modern, doing a beautiful job of showcasing her fabulously trim waist. Her hair and make-up was exceptionally perfect {no surprise there}!
But…leave it to me to zero in on her {dare I say modest?!} bouquet:
Her petite clutch bouquet {designed with a handle – something we all view as out-dated…shame on us!} was composed of a collection of delicate blooms including Sweet William, Lily of the Valley, Hyacinth and a hidden sprig of Myrtle, taken from a bush planted by Queen Victoria in 1845.
I have always adored ‘the language of flowers’ and have no idea if her selections {designed by famed florist, Shane Connolly} were chosen for the look or the meaning, but perhaps it was a combination of both.
Sweet William – A tribute to her future husband?
Lily of the Valley – Love’s good fortune
Hyacinth – Constant love
Myrtle – Love
While I may have designed her bouquet to be just a bit larger in size to compliment the fuller skirt, I think the selections are timeless and beautiful…and who asked me, anyway!
I must say, I am certainly enamored by this gorgeous girl and am sure many many future brides will take cue from her regal style and timeless floral selections for years to come.
{image credits} kiss from royalwedding.aol, grace kelly from wedding-dresses.tk, car and bouquet from express.co.uk
Seasonal Bloom – Muscari
Heading out of the city to celebrate Easter with my family reminded me of the lushness and life that we, city-folk, often miss out on in exchange for crowded streets and skyscrapers.
While the development of trees and growth of flowers seem more than just a little lazy in their push to make their debut – I did find a few signs of life this spring weekend…and they were much appreciated!
One of my favorite early bloomers are charming and delicate muscari, or grape hyacinths.
These tiny delicate blooms are perennial {they’ll come back year after year without having to replant} and will bloom for an upwards of six weeks.
They are darling used in petite bud vases, or even used for contrast in a lovely spring bouquet.
And as the wise Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!'”
Love it.
{image credits} muscari bouquet and single stem from martha stewart. bud vase photo taken from mary ruffle.
Oh So Chickie.
Sugary Sorbet-Hued Shoot
As one may have gathered by my lack of recent posts, I have been a bit absent from what is usually my free-time to share, dream and inspire…No fun! Early mornings and late nights are saturated with meetings, walk-throughs, conference calls, timelines, checklist and to-dos…
Although it is adding to my already numbingly busy schedule, Bliss Weddings was asked to be a part of a fantastic whirlwind of a project. Our favorite photographer, the insanely hip and talented Jeremy of Studio This Is, asked Renny and I along with the cities’ best designer, Jesse Deckard from Event Creative, to be a part of a photoshoot for the next issue of CS Brides. Jeremy, Jesse and Bliss often work together designing and capturing our clients events – but Jeremy has always wanted to work on a project together from conception and found this to the perfect opportunity.
While I’m dying to talk specifics, sharing plans, designs and details, I’d much rather share it in it’s entirety! To tide you over, here was the color board I put together to present to the gang featuring soft, springy, sorbet hues…my current obsession.
The shoot will take place in just over a week and I can barely contain my excitement! Stay tuned!