Giving Thanks

I so hope you all enjoy a most fantastic day and celebrate all you are thankful for!

{image credits: images from eddie ross, martha stewart, gourmet}

Kara’s Current Obsession: Monograms and Crests, Oh My!

Many of us know about the delightful Sarah Drake for her beyond beautiful letterpress and engraved wedding invitations.  In addition to designing your save the dates, your entire wedding suite, programs and menu cards, you can enlist the boutique studio to create a charming monogram for The New You, dream up a custom crest for your growing family or even help with your budding business’ brand identity and logo!  
The fun doesn’t have to stop with the conceptual creations, however…
You can have Sarah help put together a beautiful tablescape…
I am obsessed with monogrammed dinnerware!  Here, for a more casual, everyday use Sarah will work your monogram into rustic stoneware pieces {made locally in Chicago!}.
If urban farmhouse isn’t necessarily your look – choose a more formal china pattern {for fancy dinner parties or to simply dress up Chinese take-out!}
Knobby linen napkins add a casual elegance to any table setting.
Sarah Drake can also work your monograms into bedding!
Yes. Please.
Now…why settle for a mundane monogram when you can have Sarah create a brand new family crest!!  {L.O.V.E the establish date – aka your wedding date!}
Then work your crest into your linens!
For perhaps a more simple idea, have them help with monogrammed hemstitch cocktail napkins {I have heaps of them!  And they also make fabulous hostess gifts!} or a simple, classic handkerchief.
  And the very best news?!  Sarah Drake can set up a custom registry so your family and friends can help you build your fancypants new monogrammed collection!
I’m obsessed.
{image credits} all images taken from Sarah Drake Design

Celebrate!

Although my social calendar of late begs to differ – most people know that I love love love hosting a good party.  Well, this Little Miss has as a bit of a milestone on the horizon:  I maaay turn 28…{again…for the third time?} next month.  This occasion will n.o.t take place at a gritty bar or club – oh gasp!…But is it really so awful to want to host your own birthday party?

While I may have to postpone the festivities until things slow down a bit {not to mention the fact that we were able to take advantage of one of my favorite sale websites: jetsetter.com and are, therefore, sneaking away for the only minute we have to breath in November}…but – if I were to host something:

I would want it fun – surrounded only by people I adore.  I would want it fancy – girls and guys must dress.  I would want it fantastically simple – with thoughtful drinks, delicious bites and dreamy details.
Well…I’m just a bit disappointed that Kevin Sharkey {the fabulous, famed designer that has been working with Martha Stewart Living since 1995} somehow snuck his way into my head and took all of my ideas and inspiration {wink wink} for an incredible home party!!
Anyway – enjoy these gorgeous photos from his glamorous fete – laden with a darling dose of humor:
 Guests were welcomed with a simply and effectively stocked bar cart.  I always always think it is best to offer fewer spot-on creations as opposed to feeling the need to provide copious options.   

What couldn’t make it on the bar cart was stylishly stored in his bathtub mounded with ice, certain to keep the Veuve chilled all evening long.  {What’s all that stacked up in the background, you ask??} 

OH THAT!!  Just a mere gazillion Hermes boxes, hanging out in Kevin’s shower.  So ironically beautiful.

Hooray!  I’m not the only one that loves a dressed up deviled egg!  Delish.

Well, if the eggs are a bit too pedestrian for you – the beautifully displayed caviar station is sure to impress.

And after feasting on a creamy caviar delicacy, fed from a mother-of-pearl spoon…it’s time to dunk!  Love love this Oreo cooke cake.  Must have glasses wide enough to dunk.

And now it’s time to get silly.  A fabulous and fancy lacquered dining table acts as the perfect local for a bit of table tennis.

Obsessed with the custom-monogrammed paddle.

Favors?  Nope…

Score-keeping writing utensils!

I will absolutely recreate this whimsy frame as an unexpected touch in the powder room!

And if the wee hours weren’t apparent enough, perhaps the deflated balloons may remind you what a fabulous….long….night you’ve had!
Happy whatever-you-want-to-celebrate!

{image credits} all images taken from martha stewart

Autumn Amour…

Although I shall never utter a word of criticism for the absolute dreamy warm and sunny Chicago weather we’ve had so far this October, the air has seemed to shift just a bit more seasonally brisk the last couple of days.  I’m officially ready to embrace autumn {a season I truly adore}!
The air smells of freshly fallen leaves, pumpkins and gourds are readily available at nearly all markets and fall-inspired treats are showing up at favorite eateries.  Here are just a few images I’ve taken capturing my whole-hearted acceptance of the season:
This charming streetlamp is just out our back door and I found myself popping back inside, after walking Illie one evening, to grab my camera in order to capture the amber glow of the colored leaves.
I absolutely love the unexpected beauty of odd pumpkins and gourds.  I picked up these lookers from my local Trader Joe’s!
Don’t listen to them…personality does count for something!
These little guys are framed perfectly in the shadowy nook of our bookshelf.
And my latest seasonal craving:  a latte and a pair of pumpkin macarons from the charming bakery, Sarah’s Pastries and Candies on picturesquely perfect Oak Street.
Autumn, the year’s last and loveliest smile.  -William Cullen Bryant

Oh…Henri!

Amidst the hustle and bustle of last week, Renny insisted we make time for ourselves…A lunch date was penned in our diaries and we weren’t going to bail – we promised!  It turned out to be a bit of a celebration, a Beyond Blissful year together! and Renny asked where we should dine.  I had recently heard and read nice things about the new French-American restaurant by the owners and chef of The Gage, called Henri.
We arrived for our late lunch to a packed house – busy with businessmen, locals, foodies, symphony-goers and tourists alike – all taking time out of their schedules for a sophisticated mid-day meal.  
The bright restaurant initially reminded me of a European salon, a beautiful dusty robins egg blue {or nile blue to us industry folk!} and chocolate brown color pairing dressed the walls and the furniture.  The staff was beyond welcoming and friendly…something that most new, hot restaurants seem to care less about.  After a brief moment to freshen up {the luxe restrooms were modestly and handsomely marvelous} we were seated immediately, thanks to our reservation.
After Renny’s insistence of beginning with a coupe of champagne (the glasses were substantially gorgeous – and you know I’m a sucker for a saucer of bubbly!), the polished bus boy offered up a gorgeous mahogany tray of freshly baked french bread.  Our meals were as dreamily delicious as the day’s warm weather and the decor.  I ordered the mussels – I truly argue – the best I’ve had.  They were submerged in the lightest, most delicious fennel broth, paired with a crusty piece of bread, perfect for trying to sop up every last drop of the salty goodness.  Renny ordered the snapper and was as equally impressed as I was.  After summoning all of our willpower, we passed on the dessert and instead ordered cappuccinos.  
I so enjoyed being a lady-who-lunched and so appreciated the company and generosity of my dining companion.  The meal was delish, and I’m already dying to head back…
Oh, Henri…I think I’m fallin’!
{image credits}  restaurant photos taken by steven johnson photography, cappuccino found on flickr by digital gopher

Dreamy Day…

What an unexpectedly wonderful surprise!  No one in their wildest dreams could imagine such a spectacular October Chicago Day…
My fantastic clients and their guests will actually get to enjoy their cocktail hour on the terrace of the Chicago History Museum, overlooking the early changing colors of Lincoln Park!
How absolutely dreamy…
Xx.
{image credi} sunny happy girl taken from mary ruffle on tumblr

Real Wedding – Diana and Reas!

The breathtaking Elysian has been hosting events for less than a mere year, after it’s much anticipated opening last winter.  For the countless times I’ve been there – whether for meetings, site visits or a delish dinner – it took until this past weekend to actually host a client event there.  The stunning and rich details of the classically current hotel are enough to inspire alone.  Marry those qualities with the amazing service staff {from the valet attendants to the waiters} and mouthwatering cuisine and I must say…Chicago has one superior venue – absolutely perfect for anyone’s stylish special event.

Acknowledging and honouring the setting is often my first step when designing a wedding.  The Elysians’ varied grey hues, crisp white molding and marble, black chairs and chargers and dazzling crystal detailing proved to be the perfect backdrop for Diana’s chosen color collection.  Classic and crisp black and white was highlighted with a varied range of pink tones – ranging from dusty pink champagne to boldly saturated fuchsia.  I partnered with my wonderful friend and designer extraordinaire, David Gould of Lush Flowers {he is now also heading up Event Creative’s floral department}.  He went above and beyond – as always – focusing on quality, detail and design like no other…
Here are a few images from Diana and Reas’ celebration {ps:  they are absolutely head-over-heels-in-love, I’ll have you know!}

Diana carried a gorgeous bouquet composed of insanely fragrant garden roses, ranunculus, anemones and scabiosa.  The groom wore a dapper white anemone boutonniere.  {David made a second boutonniere, as anemones are quite delicate and may need a swap out mid-day!}

Prior to the ceremony, the couple hosted a brief champagne welcome reception – always a fabulous way to start a celebration!  A charming tower was constructed from old fashioned coupes set atop the hotel’s luxe white marbled credenza.

Simple black and white programs awaited guests at their seats.  The content highlighted the traditions of their special Jewish ceremony.

The unique {and plentiful} ballroom chandeliers feature a gorgeous, argyle-like pattern that was my inspiration for the aisle treatment…
A glamorous chuppah was custom design and created for Diana and Reas’ wedding.  The luxe tufted, upholstered canopy was created in an unexpected oval shape – perfectly sized for the petite ballroom.  White fabric panels, edged in black tumbled to the ground, cinched mid-way by fluffy rose tie-backs.
The short aisle was also bordered by flickering candles, perfect for their evening, autumn ceremony.
Guests found simple seating assignments arranged on a table set in the foyer following the ceremony.

When guests re-entered the transformed ballroom to find their seats, they were presented not only with their choice of wine, but with offerings of shots of vodka and cognac – an absolute must for the brides’ Russian Jewish guests.  A certain way to ensure a great {if not rowdy!} celebration!

Three varied centerpiece designs were placed on alternating tables around the room.  The charming black and white toile linen was a fresh alternative to the {dare I say…overdone?!} damask patterns that were also available.  Here, the low centerpiece featured a black lacquered compote hosting a lush, full and tailored collection of varied pink roses and garden roses – subtly accented with dark cotinus foliage.  
Black menus were scribed in rich pink calligraphy, allowing guests to start dreaming of the meal, yet to come, as soon as they were seated.  A pair of petite rosebuds accented the dark menu, tucked neatly in the corner of each folded napkin.

 Table numbers featured Russian characters, another charming detail tailored to the brides’ family and friends.
Ornate black risers hosted sphere-like arrangements, also massed with an abundant collection of roses, garden roses and cotinus.
The bride and grooms’ chairs were highlighted with petite signs secured with thin silk ribbons.

Her gorgeous cake {made by the talented hotel staff!} featured a tufted/quilted texture, similar to their chuppah.
The third centerpiece design was a tall candelabra, hosting graceful, long, thin taper candles and petite vases of coordinating blooms below.  I am absolutely mad about the elegant, residential look of their ceilings!

The wedding was simple, beautiful, elegant and sophisticated.  And while I’m certain the bride and groom were mesmerized by the beauty of their intimate affair – they really and truly seemed to only have eyes for each other…
All the best to Diana and Reas!  Xx.
{image credits} happy couple by dan verson.  remaining photos taken by me – stay tuned for more of the professional ones!

Happy Day!

Off to a client wedding!  

This wonderful couple hired me {barely 4 months ago!} to plan and design their wedding from start to finish.  The details are fabulous, unexpected and perfectly tailored for our Bride and Groom.  Let’s just hope the weather cooperates for their extra long photo-shoot around the city and their special outdoor ceremony later!
Love is certainly in the air…
Xx.
{image credit} via coco kelley

Afternoon Delight…

The hustle and bustle of wedding season barrels on like an energetic pooch that’s given the freedom of an open rural field to simply go…go…go…
As I am all consumed with the details and the excitement of a particular client wedding…poof!…it is over – and I am onto the next, without a moment to catch my breath or savor the fresh air that hints at autumn’s imminent arrival {um…tomorrow?!}.
I currently find myself lost in the logistics of tandem client wedding timelines and need a pick me up:
Yep.  I’m certain a fresh cappuccino {no, Not to go, thank you}, biscotti – paired with a petite glass of wine and a view a-la Paris would do the trick…
{image credit} dreamy view taken from mary ruffle via la dolce vita