A Graveyard Smash

We now interrupt our feather frenzy (here, here, here, here, and here!) for a holiday special...

For the couple who loves Halloween, the holiday provides a wonderful opportunity to create a unique and personal event- whether it be a wedding or simply an elaborate holiday party.

Row 1: L to R- Hostess with the Mostess, The Martha Blog, Greg Bumatay via The Bride's Cafe
Row 2: Tori & Mark- Kelly Moore, Richard Israel Photography, Hannah Read-Baldrey via The City Sage
Row 3: Ben Chrisman, Melanie Favreau via Supermarket, Photogen Inc.
Row 4: Gemma Comas via Black Eiffel, Christopher Record Photography via Southern Weddings, The Knot

For all of those celebrating- Happy Halloween!!

For the Love of {Feathers}- Jewelry

Anna Korte Vintage Jewelry at Tobi

Alex and Ani at Shopbop

Betsey Johnson at Nordstrom

Urban Outfitters

And, if I had a million dollars...

H.Stern at Neiman Marcus

For the Love of {Feathers}- Home

When I realized that my feather bit wasn't stopping because I had just a few more feather items to share, I decided some "For the Love of" posts were in order.

Roost Porcelain Ornaments- Velocity Art and Design

Williams-Sonoma Home

Print- Leah Duncan

Gift Tags- Moth to a Flame Studio

Stay tuned for the remaining posts in this feather series!

Stuck A Feather In His Cap

While I don't imagine these pieces resemble the feather Yankee Doodle wore, these headbands from Etsy shops FeatherBrain and sewsephine are feathers I would happily don.

The fascinators and hairpieces I mentioned before were mostly ones that felt perfect for a special occasion, but these would work with a variety of outfits.

FeatherBrain

FeatherBrain

sewsephine

sewsephine

sewsephine

sewsephine

sewsephine

Birds of a Feather

Since I am on a bit of a feather kick (see here and here.) I wanted to create a board that highlighted the use of feathers in the attire and decor for a wedding, and the brown and black feathered shoes and hair piece in this board felt like perfect inspiration for a late fall or winter wedding.

Row 1: L to R- Ryan Phillips, Brittney & Mike- Jennifer Skog Photography, Stephanie James Couture
Row 2: Gentl & Hyers, Penn Carlson Photography via Southern Weddings, Janne Peters, Mi Belle Wedding Photography via The Bride's Cafe
Row 3: Country Living via Perfect Bound, Eryn & Scott- Mary Jane Photography, Stephanie James Couture
Row 4: Carrie Patterson Wedding Photography, Vanilla Bake Shop, Sara France via Snippet & Ink

Completely Fascinated

A few years ago, I had a pair of heels that I loved. When I first spotted them, I fell head over heels (ha ha) and I knew they had to be mine. They were a little flashier than any of my other pairs, but I was in L-O-V-E.

E, however was not. He thought they were, well, hideous and weird. I slightly doubted my choice, but I tried to stay strong in my conviction that they were amazing.

Since I did love them, I wore them proudly, and it turned out, every time I wore them, compliments were inevitable. I have to admit that I gloated a little every time I received one (not everyone found my selection so horrible!)

I especially loved receiving a compliment when E was present. He knew I loved it too. He would laugh every time and say, "I never said other people wouldn't like them! I don't claim to always understand what women love."

Lately, I have been quite obsessed with hairpieces and fascinators, particularly of the feather and flower variety (well, perhaps I am just obsessed with feathers all-around these days.) I

think these would be fabulous to wear to a holiday party, but I have to wonder whether E would find these interesting or more along the lines of my very-loved shoes...

K.Autumn

Originals By Lynnette

Miss Lola by oh my deer! (sadly, no longer available!)

Miss Erma by oh my deer! (also, sadly, no longer available!)

qgdesigns

I would want to wear this piece by House of Telsa all the time!

(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons

Two years ago today, on a sunny, Friday afternoon, my husband, E, and I married at the county courthouse. Only two days before had we decided we were going ahead with the plan (those who know us, know we can be slightly indecisive at times...) We were engaged, but a deployment to Afghanistan for E led us to want the wedding sooner than we'd originally planned.

I knew I wanted the dress, as well as a ceremony and reception to celebrate our marriage with our families and friends. For all of them, I wanted the big day to feel like the "real deal." But, for us, we wanted the courthouse too.

Via this is my heart. it is a good heart

It wasn't fancy, but it was exactly the way we wanted the day to be- about us making an important commitment to each other. From the moment we stepped into the courtroom, I couldn't stop smiling, and looking at E, I saw my endless smile mirrored on his face.

via this is my heart. it is a good heart.

Three days later, we drove to Kansas, where E had additional training for the three months prior to his deployment. We spent our "honeymoon" in a shady not quite five-star motel, because it allowed our two dogs to stay too, and we had no choice other than to laugh- a lot. After three days, the pups and I returned home alone.

It was difficult without a doubt (and it's certainly not an uncommon story in the military world,) but I wouldn't change a thing.

via this is my heart. it is a good heart.

I felt then, as I still do, that I was luckiest girl in the world. I married my best friend (cheesy, I know.) We are silly together and laugh often. His intelligence never ceases to amaze me, and I love how his brain sees things differently than mine. E is supportive and encouraging of me in every possible way, and, after almost five years together, my stomach still flips when he gives me a sideways smile or wink.

My favorite photo from the day. It is a too dark, grainy and fuzzy, but I love it all the same.

We've now had both weddings- the courthouse and the chapel (after E returned home.) They were both incredibly special in their own ways, but I will forever celebrate the first one as the day we truly said, "I do."

Happy 2nd Anniversary, E. I can't wait to see what is ahead.

For the love of {Plaid}- Part 5

For now, here's one more look at Hatch's work (previously mentioned here and here.)

Perhaps it's because I've found myself a little infatuated with plaid (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4,) but I love Hatch's branding and design for their client, MacLean Winery.

Craig MacLean, the founder of the winery, wanted to reflect his Scottish heritage in his brand, and Hatch incorporated elements of his family crest and tartan into their concept for MacLean Winery.


Their wine, with its festive red plaid design, looks like something I would love to break open for the holidays!

Hatch Design

Here is another example of product design and branding by Hatch, and, once again, I am smitten with their work.


On their website, they had this to say about their branding concept for this client-

"The Michael Austin Winery was started by two long-time friends, whose middle names are "Michael" and "Austin." Rather than pretend Michael Austin actually exists, we invented stories about a character (loosely inspired by the two founders' lives) for each label. "Bad Habit" refers to how the two men met in a catholic high school, "High Flyer" because one of them flies small airplanes, etc."





While I love each label, I think my most favorite is "High Flyer." It probably has something to do with my first "to-do" listed here.

You can read the accompanying stories for each label on Hatch's website, and you should because they are quite entertaining.

Charmed, I'm sure

Have I mentioned yet that I am a complete sucker for packaging and product design? Well, I am. So much so, my wine selections are often swayed by a pretty label- and, man, there some amazing wine bottle designs out there!

When I spotted this bottle at The Dieline, I immediately decided I'd love to serve this wine at a Halloween party. It seems perfect, not in a spooky, ghoulish way, but in a magical, Bewitched sort of style. And I would happily serve it along side these.

The entire product line of JAQK Cellars, branded and owned by Joel Templin and Katie Jain of San Fransisco based Hatch, is equally as lovely. Check it out; you might be completely Charmed. I certainly am.

Shoe Love

These shoes would look wonderful with the inspiration board I posted earlier, but I don't need a wedding to want these! I am absolutely in love.


I am going to be out-of-town for the next few days, but I am hoping that I will be able to post while I am gone. If I should not, I'll see you soon!

A Room Reveals A Wedding {A Mod Mix}

It has been a while since I've posted "A Room Reveals A Wedding." Today's inspiration room is a little mod and a little Hollywood Regency (I know, I know- she declared it dead!) courtesy of David Jimenez (via Desire to Inspire.)

I really like the composition of this room with the mix of patterns and colors, and I think it would translate well into a chic and modern wedding.

The Room

The Wedding

Row 1: L to R- David Jimenez, Elum, Artfool
Row 2: Drew B Photography via Southern Weddings, Cannelle et Vanille, Richard Israel, Cannelle et Vanille
Row 3: Brides, Brides, See by Chloe at Nordstrom, Anna Beck at Max and Chloe
Row 4: Douglas Benedict via The Bride's Cafe, Cannelle et Vanille, Lisa Vorce & Docuvitae via Style Me Pretty

Leg Bone Connected to the Knee Bone

My mom sent me the link to these a-mazing cookies made by Heidi Kenney at My Paper Crane. I am absolutely in love with them and think they are the most perfect Halloween cookie ever.

The detailed bone-work is simply perfection. I'm not sure I could bring myself to eat them; I think I'd just want to stare at them and enjoy their utter cuteness! Love. Love. Love.

Welcome Fall

It has finally started to feel like fall here. We've had cooler temperatures the last few days, and I've been able to wear sweaters at night. Woo-hoo!

Michelle Holden

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Perfect landing

COOL HAIRSTYLES!

Sculpted Grace

I haven't yet admitted this, but I have a bit of an obsession with Anthropologie. My obsession began a number of years ago, and it just doesn't seem to be going away! Truly, their catalogs do me in every time.

While I could post almost an endless number of pieces I am loving at Anthropologie right now, I'm limiting myself to these three pieces from their Sculpted Grace selections. I really like the visual interest that the tucks and folds bring to these pieces.

Can Can Pencil Skirt

Terrain Tales Sweater

Fanned Flames Blouse