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}

a bit of advice.

I don’t often lend a lot of “wedding/event focused” advice on my blog, which seems a little absurd since I consider myself an event designer and this blog is in a little way a wedding related blog, but I thought I’d take a second today to lend a bit of advice, so here it goes…

Over the past year or so I’ve seen the trend of the photobooth gaining lots and lots of momentum. And guess what? I’m SUPER excited about it!

When it comes to weddings, I not only believe that the celebration is all about the love of the couple, but I also believe it’s about giving your guests something to get excited about. In steps : mr. photobooth. I’m telling you – this little contraption whether it be a camera on a tripod set up by your photographer, a fantabulous Smilebooth, or a full blown old school photobooth beauty like my friends over at 321 Foto will absolutely, hands-down make your event! I mean who doesn’t want to get a pile of photos back from their event showcasing all of their guest ones goofy faces and photo mishaps? Um – I do!

The top 10 reasons I think photobooths kick some serious bootay:

1. They bring out the kid in everyone. Even grumpy Grandpa Joe or ‘too cool for school’ cousin Amy.

2. Guests get really excited at just the sight of a photobooth. I promise.

3. Pictures last a lifetime. Yep – that means you have a lifetime’s worth of blackmailing material to use against your friends and family.

4. They can be as fancy or simple as you want them to be. Rent one from a company locally or ask your photographer if they have the service available.

5. Backdrops & Props oh my! Cause who doesn’t want to wear a chef’s hat and clown glasses while standing in front of a wall of confetti garland?

6. Where the most outstanding Facebook & Twitter profile pics are made.

7. They are a helpful reminder of what’s most important when it comes to an event or party. HAVE FUN!

8. It gives those guests who hate to boogy something to get involved in.

9. Don’t like how you looked in the picture? Take another, and another and another and another. Perfect for the picture perfectionist in all of us!

10. No one REALLY likes boring formal portraits do they?

10.1. They are perfect for every event : graduation parties, baby showers, anniversaries, art shows, company holiday parties (remember #3?), birthdays, reunions…etc. etc.

Long story short : get yourself a photobooth at your next event. You’ll thank me for it later!

*The fab pics in this post?! Just a few of the hilariously awesome photobooth snapshots from my friend Jules color-blocking birthday party last month – more pics on her fab blog here – go on over and get inspired! Oh and super bonus! That rad little geometric pinyada? Check out my buddy Sara’s new pinyada biz : pinyadayada. Genius!

photo cred: {julie harmsen photography}

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}

defined : bicycle.

bi·cy·cle/ˈbīsikəl/

a vehicle consisting of a light frame mounted on two wire-spoked wheels one behind the other and having a seat, handlebars for steering, brakes, and two pedals or a small motor by which it is driven OR the perfect getaway.

photo cred: {a cup of jo}

pic me a palette: urban brooklyn.

just a wee bit obsessed with this ceremony backdrop at my moon brooklyn.

yes, please!

photo cred: {matt miller via ruffled}

house of fifty.

A while back I was asked to share my thoughts on the vintage wedding trend with House of Fifty Magazine. It was such a blast to share some details about scout. vintage rental co. and such an honor to be a part of this issue. If you’re looking for some major design/interior inspiration, check out their amazing winter/spring 2012 issue and the rest of the feature here! Thanks House of Fifty!

photo cred: {mo hines photography via house of fifty}

open house yummy.

I wanted to share some fun pics captured by Calima Portraits at the Twelve Baskets open house a couple weeks ago. Scout Vintage Rental Co. was there to show off some of our collection, and it was so much fun to meet a lot of peeps in the industry, and also get to know some of the brides & grooms attending! Twelve Baskets really knows their stuff – their food was outstanding (I couldn’t get enough of those little crab cakes!) & adorable Catherine was there to capture all the details! What a fun night!

Happy weekend friends! *JB

photo cred: {Calima Portraits}

pic me a palette : an engagement float.

how serene is this engagement photo? holy moly. totally dreamy and killer photography skills by rowell photography.

photo cred: {rowell photography via junebug weddings}

skillet street food.

Oh. My. Word. I am SO excited for this upcoming open house that I can barely stand it! Not only is it at a killer new venue (if you haven’t checked out Melrose Market Studios yet, you are in for quite the treat!) but it’s all about yummy grub and thinking outside the box. Skillet is holding their spring tasting on the 22nd of this month (yep! you better get your RSVP on!) and it’s gonna be RAD!

Scout Vintage Rental Co. will be there showing off lots of our favs and Noah of Skillet is cooking up the super fabulous! I’m telling you – you WANT to be at this one folks…it’s gonna be insanely awesome! If you are getting hitched or wanna blow the socks right off your guests at your next shindig, come hang with us and some superstar vendors!

Skillet Street Food | Pederson’s Rentals | Wave Link Music | Fleurish | Julie Harmsen Photography | 321 Foto | Bluebird Microcreamery | Melrose Market Studios | & scout!

RSVP here and spread the word! We’d love to hang with ya! See you soon!

photo cred: {matthew parker}

DIY quilted escort cards.

I’ve been dying to get some fun DIY projects up on the blog and I couldn’t think of a better day to start than the most mushy day of the year!

Happy Valentine’s Day friends!

This first official DIY was certainly inspired by today’s LOVEfest! Adam and I are working hard to dine “in” more often – i.e. making more meals at home. Second goal? Less meals at the coffee table and more meals at a set table….gasp! With that comes the desire to style up our dinner tabletop with the prettiest of place settings to keep those creative juices flowing and to liven up the drab dinner plate.

I wanted to create a fun escort card that could go along with my dream Valentine’s Day tabletop. The classic heart shape felt like a “must” but I wanted it to have a unique twist with fun texture. These little “quilted” escort cards are a total cinch and are perfect for a valentine’s day party or dinner surprise for your sweetheart! Or change up the colors and shape cutout and use it for any party or event!

Here’s what you’ll need:

scissors, craft cutting board or x-acto knife (optional, but will create the the straightest lines), firm cardstock for escort card, colorful sheets of paper (i used 3 various pink/red shades for this project), glue runner, fun washi tape, pen

The Steps:

Step 1: Cut firm cardstock into escort card shape (3 1/2 x 5″) and score line down center of card for easier fold. (You can eliminate this step and save time by buying precut escort cards from a craft supply store).

Step 2: After folding escort card down center, cut out half heart shape from center of card with scissors. *Tip: save the heart cutout and use as template so that other hearts are about the same size.

Step 3. Cut a square out of pink paper. You want to make sure the square is large enough to “fill” the inside of the heart.

Step 4: Cut straight lines into the square making sure NOT to cut all the way through but leaving a little uncut edge. This is where I used the cutting board to ensure that each line was the same width and was super straight.

Step 5: Cut out strips of paper using other sheets of colorful paper. You can make these strips at the width of your choosing. In this case I cut the red ones at 1/4″ and the coral ones at 1/8″. Also, make sure that the strips are at least 1/2 inch longer than your square in Step 4.

Step 6: Start weaving the red strip of paper through precut square to create quilt affect. Tip: be sure to “push” each strip tight against the square with your finger tip. You don’t want there to be any holes and you want the lines as straight as possible. Repeat the weaving process using color strips alternating between red and coral color.

Step: 7: Use glue runner to glue around edge of precut heart on underside of escort card.

Step 8: Lay quilted paper facedown against glue to fill heart space. Using colorful washi tape secure edges of quilted square on underside of escort card to ensure paper won’t come undone.

Step 9: Write name of guest on escort card and place on tabletop.

Extra fun and very green Step: Use leftover heart cutouts to top dessert.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Muah! xoxo!

photo cred: {jenn elliott blake}

defined : adore.

a·dore/əˈdôr/

verb. to love and respect deeply OR to love something so much it hurts.

photo cred: {clayton austin via loveolio}

defined : lounge.

lounge/lounj/

verb. to rest or recline indolently; loll OR noun. the most comfy way to make your guests feel right at home.

photo cred: {kate harrison via green wedding shoes} {sunny 16 photography via green wedding shoes} {gabriel ryan photographers via 100 Layer Cake}{ace hotel by lane dittoe via wedding chicks} {via 100 Layer Cake by gabriel ryan photographers}

a wedding show + an open house.

Last month I had the pleasure of providing some of my vintage goodies to Twelve Baskets Catering for their booth at the Seattle Wedding Show. Jaffrey & the team nabbed some fab pics of the booth that I’m sharing on the blog today. The tabletop was my fav…absolutely gorgeous, right?! They did such a great job with the design of their booth!

I will also be participating in their open house coming up this week (rescheduled due to that crazy Seattle snow storm!) and would love to see you there! It’s the perfect opportunity for you brides and grooms out there to see a stunning venue: 415 Westlake, and sample some yummy grub from Twelve Baskets. You can also touch/feel/rent some loot from scout. vintage rental co. while you’re there! RSVP and find details here!

photo cred: {twelve baskets catering}

bow tie wednesday / 32.

photo cred: {wildflowers photography via greenweddingshoes}