pic me a palette : the donut.

Ever since Alison and Marc’s wedding this past Saturday, I can’t get donuts off the brain. My favorite part of the entire night? When the DJ proclaimed “ok folks, the bride and groom are now going to cut the donut!” Um – yes, complete & pure awesomeness if you ask me.

I am over the moon anytime I see couples doing something non-traditional on their wedding day, and substituting a traditional wedding cake for your favorite sweet is the perfect way to do so!

These lemon poppyseed donuts look absolutely scrumptious and the beautiful blue/grey tone of the poppyseeds makes me swoon.  I definitely might have to try whipping these together one of these days. I also love how Jessica of The Novice Chef doesn’t claim to be anything that she’s not – she’s just simply a gal following her passion for sugar and cooking! You gotta love that!

photo cred : {the novice chef}

pic me a palette : springtime.

photo cred : {gina meola photography}

pic me a palette : prop styling.

I had the absolute pleasure of assisting Chelsea Fuss with a couple of her interior styling jobs this week here in Seattle and I cannot even begin to tell you what an honor it was to be on set with her. Chelsea is honestly someone I greatly admire as a prop stylist and her work continues to inspire me to work towards my own styling career. When I 1st launched myself into the world of weddings & events I didn’t really really know where my biggest passions might lie, and I’m learning more and more everyday about how much I truly value, admire & cherish the skill of creating beautiful photographs through styling.

I really don’t think a lot of people know what goes into actually making a beautiful photo. There is of course the photographer, but there is also a stylist behind the scenes that is working their magic on set or at an event to make sure that everything the photographer is snapping a picture of looks just so. I encourage you the next time you are flipping through your favorite magazine or scrolling your blog feed to ask yourself what might have gone in to making that photograph happen. Really study the picture because I guarantee the photo didn’t happen by chance. Prop styling is not as easy at it might look – it takes a ton of concentration and a fantastic working relationship b/t the stylist and photographer. Some of my fav styling/photography duos out there (Chelsea & Lisa are definitely one of them!) make it look easy as pie – but in reality their work is pure art & some serious talent.

photo, prop styling cred: {happiness etc.}

pic me a palette : bridal bliss.

I had the pleasure of meeting Tabitha at ALT this past January and I can tell you this chick is just as awesome as her adorable wedding was! Her blog is a pure delight and her wedding – full of bountiful color is just something to absolutely admire. Check out more inspiring pics of her day over here.

And seriously, if you haven’t checked out Tabitha’s blog yet – get on over there!

photo cred: {beaux arts photographie via style me pretty}

pic me a palette: outdoor urban love.

photo cred: {max wanger via style me pretty}

featured on SMP!

Today is a good day. A REALLY good day.

When I first started my event design & styling biz I only had dreams of one day making it to a feature on Style Me Pretty. Style Me Pretty is major. REALLY major. It’s the most popular wedding blog out there, dripping with only the most gorgeously detailed weddings imaginable. It’s the place where every wedding creative I’ve ever met dreams of having their work featured. And it was a BIG dream for me when I started this new business.

Vanessa & Tony’s wedding was quite simply amazing. Not only did I get to create a design and coordinate the day from start to finish, but I got to witness two of the most important people in my life commit their lives to one another. The entire wedding was one of those “out of the body” experiences and today feels much of the same. Today Vanessa & Tony’s wedding is being featured on Style Me Pretty and I could NOT be prouder.

I also am SO SO SO stinkin’ grateful for the photography brilliance of my dear friend Mo. Monica captured Vanessa & Tony’s wedding in the most genuine way…she really captured the beauty that is Vanessa & Tony and I’m so grateful for it!

Head over to SMP today and check out the feature here! Don’t forget to view the entire gallery here to get all the little details!

photo cred: {screen shot from style me pretty}

Event Design, Styling, Floral Concept + Coordination: {bow tie & bustle event design + styling} Wedding Photography: {Mo Hines Photography} Flowers: {Mazarte Florals} Calligraphy: Letters By Ellen / Venue, Catering + Make-up: Cabo Surf Hotel / Paper Goods + Invitations: bow tie & bustle event design + styling / Bride’s Hair: Mandi Rhodes / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Cabo Surf Hotel

pic me a palette: fall in love with yarn.

yahooo for fall palettes and yahooo for yarn!

i’ve been using yarn quite a bit in my designs lately (pictures from Sarah’s baby shower coming soon!) and i’m excited that it will also be involved in an upcoming project. yarn just reminds me of those cool fall days where the leaves are dancing happily along the sidewalk and there is that brisk breeze that smells oh so lovely & comforting.

happy fall ya’ll!

photo cred: {lion brand}

pic me a palette #6: mexican dinner reception.

pic cred: {mexican dinner reception by  scott clark photography via green wedding shoes}

pic me a palette #5: artsy girl.

art cred: {blair of my daily drawings}

pic me a palette #4: matchbook mania.

photo cred: {rue mag issue six photo by lou mora}

things are a’ changing…

The past couple of weeks have been a complete and utter whirlwind. I had no idea what it might feel like to be completely immersed in the wedding season, and I am surely receiving a big fat dose of wedding reality madness….and it feels….GOOD. I’m busy, REALLY busy, and it’s all exciting, and all new and all challenging. The most challenging thing of all is finding the time to do one of my most favorite things…blogging. I’ve been slightly frustrated over the past couple of days because I’ve had little time to actually pump my soul into my blog. I have BIG dreams for this little blog of mine, and if they come true, I’d be OH SO HAPPY! I’m hopeful that September will lend more time to make these things really happen.

For now, I wanted to introduce a new series that I’m pretty excited about.  Over the many years of being wedding obsessed, and the many months of being fully engulfed in the event design process, it has become glaringly clear that one of the very first things to think about as a designer, engaged couple or party planner is color choice. 1 color? 2 color? 3 color or 4? Color is one of the things that sets that initial tone for the party, event, wedding, invitation suite etc. etc., and color palettes are certainly one of my most favorite things to dream up!

So for the first change to the blog…I’m introducing “pic me a palette”. I’ll post a picture (“pic”) that inspires me and offer a color palette that is reflective of the picture itself. I might choose just one picture that sparks my interest, or a few pic’s from one wedding that create multiple palettes. All with the intention to inspire your next party palette. So get inspired by color!!! And get excited for some BIG blog changes!

Happy Tuesday friends!

And first up…this gorgeous Newfoundland wedding captured by W. Scott Chester Photography…crazy stunning right?!?! 1 wedding…3 palettes.

photo cred: 1 -3 {w. scott chester photography}