R P Scissors Blog

Unique Product by Melangerie

Melangerie is always doing things a little differently and coming up with super creative, you-can't-find-this-anywhere-else products.  So I was not surprised when Elana sent over this darling new tote bag that just became available at their etsy store.  So cute and different, right?  I could totally see using this for out of town guest bags at a wedding where everyone is from somewhere else, or for bridesmaids gifts if all your gals are coming from all over. 

All photography courtesy Melangerie   

Creative Genius: Circus Theme Wedding

For those of you who have picked up the current issue of Martha Stewart Weddings and saw the capital A-dorable circus theme wedding of the lovely Jenna, of love*Jenna calligraphy, and wanted more, 100 Layer Cake featured an expanded version with even more pictures and fantastic ideas on their blog today!  Definitely need to head over there to check out all of the fun pics, and here are a couple to whet your appetite.  By the way, Jenna's calligraphy for accent pieces/signs is VERY reasonable, and is a lovely detail at your event!

All images via 100 Layer Cake.  Photography by Anna Rosenblat.   

Queen for a Day

The second photo shoot that I worked on with Quatre Couer, Allan Zepeda, and Paper Eight was featured on Merci yesterday!  So excited to finally get to share some pictures with you all.  The concept was essentially showing how to create interest by layering different styles, in this case antique with modern.  Instead of going super modern in your loft space venue, add some interest by bringing in some antique pieces or even small accents like antique inspired place cards.  Same goes for the old farmhouse venue.  How cool would it be with some ghost chairs and graphic candelabra?  Try mixing it up a little, and I am sure you'll have some fun.  Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!  To see the full post on Merci, click here.

 

     All photography by Allan Zepeda

Perfect Beach Summer Wedding

Summer is absolutely my favorite season, and there is nothing more perfect than the beach wedding that I am about to share with you.   Everything is drool worthy from the gorgeous bride and groom, Molly and Rowan, to the beautiful Santa Monica beach setting.  The bride put together creative and interesting tablescapes by layering containers of candles, starfish, and yellow flowers on Ikea mirrors  to anchor all the pieces (great idea!), and the result is total beach chic.  Photography by Susan Bordelon, held at the Jonathan Club.

 
 
 

     All photography by Susan Bordelon

JCrew Bridal opening event in NYC

I love receiving invitations, really of any kind.  And I especially love receiving invitations to cool opening parties that I can pass along to friends.  JCrew is finally opening a bridal salon to showcase their lovely bridal collection here in NYC, and everyone is invited.  Darcy Miller from Martha Stewart Weddings is hosting the event, so I have a feeling it is going to be just as perfect as it gets.  Rsvp to the email address below to get on the guest list, and I'll see you there!

 

Darling Engagement Shoot

Wedding Chicks featured a really creative engagement shoot by Wildflowers Photography based on the Disney movie "UP" that I love and think is so clever. It has really thoughtful details and certainly takes the balloon craze in engagement shoots to a whole new and more interesting level!  Check out a peak below, and see the full post here.

Photography by Wildflowers Photography via Wedding Chicks

Pretty Press

So excited to say that Rock Paper Scissors Events was on Style Me Pretty today!  I worked with a fabulous group of vendors to put together a really fun and gorgeous inspiration shoot, and the lovely Abby of SMP gave us a really nice write-up about it today.  My collaborators included Allan Zepeda who is a sweetheart and so dedicated to getting that perfect shot, Quatre Coeur who exceeded my expectations with gorgeous potted plant centerpieces, and Paper Eight who provided the perfect paper goods to compliment our scheme.  Plus all linen, china and glassware rentals from Classic Party Rentals.  Please go over and check out the full feature here, but a little taste of the awesomeness we put together is below.  I was inspired by the eclectic design of this room decorated by Martha Angus, which used the wallpaper of my alma mater de Gournay, to create an eclectic and layered tablescape mixing pop art references with rustic prettiness.  And I thought that potted plant centerpieces would be great to feature as they're different, eco-friendly, plus generally more economical to boot.  Fun, no?

The inspiration.

The end result.

    All photos by Allan Zepeda.

 
 

Creative Centerpieces

I wanted to share with you one of my favorite weddings from over at Style Me Pretty.  The wedding is modern, chic, fun and playful with some great ideas that we can dissect and use for a little style lesson.  Part of what makes this wedding both interesting and modern is the bold color palette: black, yellow and white.  Using black in your palette will absolutely up your sophistication quotient quite a bit.  Think about black and white, black and pink, black and orange, etc, and all have a beautiful, chic association.  Notice a couple of other things: there are no flowers and each centerpiece is different.  Each table has has unique props, and they kept it cohesive by using all the same color palette.  The varying centerpieces gave her reception a super stylish feel, and gives us inspiration for what to use as centerpiece objects.  See how she used lamps, boxes, candles, books and glass jars?  So clever and so chic.  I am absolutely inspired by this stylish wedding.  To see the images from the entire wedding, go to Style Me Pretty.

 

 

Boxes wrapped in decorative paper and ribbons - so easy and so cute.

Love the fabric wrapped lampshades.  So clever!

The books are simple and cool - and easy to do yourself.

And this is seriously my favorite favor at the moment.  So playful and cute and unexpected.

Photography by White Haute Photography and Ohana Photographers.  Styling by the bride and Just Chic Events.  All images via Style Me Pretty. 
 
 

 

Nonpareil: New Wedding Magazine

With the departure of many wedding and design magazines comes inspiration in new online formats.  Blogs of course have become pretty mainstream, but now we seem to be in the dawn of online magazines.  A beautiful wedding magazine to emerge among the shuttering of the glossies is Nonpareil.  They have a lovely, easy to follow layout and clever ideas, along with downloads and tutorials.  I would definitely recommend you check it out here.  And if you miss Domino magazine as much as I do, check out Lonny, an online magazine founded by a couple of Domino former editors.  

 The current issue of Nonpareil

Great Blog For The Bride With Little Time: Dog n' Bird

For those of you who are too busy to read every wedding blog out there, but don't want to miss out on any of the cool ideas being shared, Dog n' Bird is an awesome resource for a very well edited selection of the most interesting ideas from all the blogs and websites - from tiny ones you've never heard of to the big names.  Bird (as the author is known) seems to literally scour the internet to bring you the ideas that almost certainly would have fallen off your radar without her research.   And you definitely want her finds to be on your radar.  This is one of my favorite ideas currently on her site, but definitely go check it out because she has some really good stuff on there.  

Fun idea, no?  Reuse your glass jars from grocery store items and turn them into pretty candle holders.  Image via Dog n' Bird.  Original citation and instructions on Gingerbread Snowflakes via Wedding Inspro.

And you know I love crafty projects, so that is why this idea called out to me, but it's not all glue-guns and corner punches over there.  Go check it out: Dog n' Bird

 

Adorable Budget Dessert Table

Just spotted this absolutely darling thrown-together-from-stuff-at-home dessert table over on Bride Scouts (via It's a Jaime Thing).  Mmm-kay, so this blogger may have really cute stuff already at home which is slightly unfair for the rest of us, but still love the ideas here!  This would be great for a bridal shower or a smaller wedding, and you probably have at least some items already at home that you could use, and the treats she suggests are completely standard grocery store fare, so check out her post for some very steal-worthy ideas.

 

Images via Bride Scouts

Fan Programs With Games!

Wow. am I impressed with the cleverness and craftiness of Della Stella as seen in her feature on Intimate Weddings blog.  Check out these program fans.  Not only are they great because they do the double duty of keeping your guests cool at your outdoor wedding and providing the ceremony information, they also have games to entertain your guests before your ceremony starts!  SO adorable, right?  The full instructions can be found on the Intimate Weddings blog, and aside from coming up with clever games for your guests (this bride had mad libs, fill in the blank, and word search), is very easy to construct.  I'm wondering (because I live in Manhattan and have limited access to power tools) if you couldn't get away with securing the tied ribbon with a strong glue for the pencil.  Might be worth a try if you are also sans drill.  

 

  All images by Della Stella as seen on Intimate Weddings

Modern chic centerpieces

As I was perusing 100 Layer Cake, I saw this really interesting idea for a clean, simple, modern centerpiece that I had to share.  Guest blogger Yes, Please details how to make the railroad tie blocks, which does require someone who is handy,  but doesn't seem too bad to tackle on your own.  As an alternative that would be slightly easier to achieve without power tools, how about a base of a clear glass low rectangular vase filled with small sand colored pebbles?  Then place the succulent and Billy Balls as per the image.  For instructions on how to make the centerpieces pictured, go to 100 Layer Cake.

 

Gorgeous Invitations

I just spotted these beautifully designed invitations posted by Parcel Post over on Brooklyn Bride and had to share them.  These totally float my boat.  They are elegant and sophisticated while still being a bit different and fun.  Really lovely.

Invitation by Dauphine, Photography by Parcel Post

Invitation by Smock, Photography by Parcel Post
 

NYC House Tour Event: Newlywed Nest

Just spotted this really cool event over at the Wedding Library blog.  Over the next few weekends you can get a peak inside a new NYC apartment that was professionally designed, but here's the great catch, using all IKEA furniture with an eco-bent.  The apartment is sponsored by Brides magazine, and it is coined the Newlywed Nest, so the concept is approachable design for a young couple (though the 2 bedroom triplex with a terrace might be somewhat out of a reach for many of us) PLUS they have wine, snacks, Physique fitness classes and book signings going on there.  Fun, right?  And it's FREE.  You just might see me there every weekend from April 24 - May 22.

Click here to go to the Newlywed Nest website for event info. 

Unbelievable Homemade Invitations

Whoa.  Did you guys all see this DIY homemade wedding invitation feature on Style Me Pretty?  Um yeah, the bride made them, and they are awesome and while I am sure that a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into it, the end result is sooo fabulous and inspiring.  Say you're slightly (or ok a lot less) crafty, this is still a great inspiration for a vintage glam and fun start to your wedding that you could seek out from a stationer or graphic designer.  Check out the full feature here on Style Me Pretty.

  

Chocolate Menus

First of all, I'm back!  So sorry for the long hiatus, but two weeks ago I was swamped with a photo shoot I put together with some wonderful vendors (Allan Zepeda Photography, Quatre Coeur florists, Michelle Kuo graphic design - but more on that in a later post), and then last week I was deathly ill.  Ok, perhaps that's a slight exaggeration, but I was really sick for more than a week, and when was the last time that happened?  Maybe only when I got cholera on the Oregan Trail. But luckily in both cases I recovered.

And I recovered in time to go the Wedding Salon event last night.  This was actually a really well done bridal fair, big but not obnoxious and with some really good vendors.  My favorite tidbit from the evening, and perhaps one of my favorite new things in general, was that I saw a table set with chocolate menu cards.  Yup, as in the menu is made of chocolate so your guests (and you) can eat it!  Hmm, sounds a little tacky you say?  Um, no actually it was really cool.  See some pictures I snapped on my phone.

See?  Cool, right?  And I finally found the vendor who made them!  It's Candy Art USA.  Go and check out more of their delicious wares :)

New Bridal Website

So there are a lot of bridal based websites out there, but there is a new one called Aisle Dash that is worth mentioning because it is PACKED with useful info from reception decor advice, pictures and ideas to fashion, planning and registry goodies.  It aims to be one stop browsing for brides, and it appears to be a who's who of contributions from the bold faced names in the industy like Preston Baily and Carley Roney of the Knot.  I think that editor-in-chief, Anne Chertoff, has delivered on a great new resource.  It's brand new, so grab a cup of coffee and click here to check out Aisle Dash.

 

Pretty, pretty blog

Have you guys all checked out the Postcards and Pretties blog?  I just came across it, and when I did I was so sincerely impressed that I had to mention it to you all to check out.  It is seriously good.  BEAUTIFUL inspiration boards.  Now a lot of people are doing these, but Postcards and Pretties just does them so, so well.  Like a noticeable step above kind of doing them well.  Check out this Sail Away theme board she made.  What could be better?

Photo from Pretties and Postcards blog

 

Pretty Flower Accents

As I was browsing at The Bride's Cafe this morning, I noticed Janie's post about Emersonmade, and I totally fell in love with their product line and had to share it with you here.  What a great way to add some interest to a simple wedding or bridesmaid's dress!  And if you buy different flowers for each bridesmaid, it would be an easy way to create a little variety and mix up the matchy-matchy-ness of your bridesmaids.  And pretty much I just want one to wear every day with a blazer or a simple little black dress as they seem to make everything look about a 1000 times cuter.  Tour Emersonmade here, and below are a few of my favorites:

See what I mean about how great it looks to break up the exact sameness of your bridesmaid dresses with different flowers?

And isn't this dress really just so much more interesting with a little flower sash?  Yes, yes it is.

 Seriously, how great are the flower poufs on the shoes? 

Mmmhmmm. I think I've proved my point.  We all need these little flower poufs in our lives.  

Great Idea: Using Fruit As Decor Accents

Using fruit as decoration is a simple way to add some texture and interest to your tablescape in an inexpensive way.  Fruit has been making its way into centerpieces, and it can also be used very effectively as pretty accent pieces.   Used in different ways, fruit can transcend a country casual vibe and be quite chic.  See the picture below of a pomegranate used as a name card.  

Image from Apartment Therapy, original source Sunset Magazine

A lime with this very stylish font creates a modern and sleek name card as well.

Image from Instyle Weddings Winter 2006

Or some peaches simply scattered on a beautiful table runner with some potted lavender can also be incredibly chic in a rustic setting.

Image from Instyle Weddings Fall 2008

 

 And Martha has a great how-to on her website to create these very elegant, and very inexpensive, pear favors.

    For the how-to, visit Martha Stewart Weddings

 

Spring Inspiration

So here in NYC, Spring has been teasing us with some warmer weather.  Now I'm from the West Coast, so I'm a little hard to please when it comes to weather, and I know that Spring is sneaky and will just as likely go back into hiding as stick around.  Which is why I am posting this absolutely lovely inspiration board from Snippet & Ink that just radiates Spring, lightness and pretty-ness to help keep the Spring vibe around regardless of Mother Nature.  

 
 Image via Snippet & Ink

Yes, please, right?

Stunning Invites by Printable Press

Ok, so I had heard of Printable Press before.  I knew they had a great concept about semi-customizing a layout for one of their invitation sets with your wording, and then sending you the PDF for you to print at home or locally.  But then I actually went on their website, and WOW, I have drunk the Kool-Aid and now I am totally head over heels in love.  Their design work is awesome!!!  Yes, three exclamation points worth of awesome.  This is not a sponsored post.  I don't even do those.  I just really think that their design work is fantastic, their concept is so accessible, and they seem like such good people.  Seriously, do yourself a favor and check out their website here, and below are a few of my favorites, from the many, many cool designs that they have:

 

All images from the Printable Press website.  Yup, love them!    

Make Your Own Table Runner

A table runner makes all the difference in the world.  Seriously.  It add so much visual interest by bringing in an additional color or texture to your table that you can go with a smaller, less impactful (read, maybe less expensive) centerpiece.  Abby over at Style Me Pretty featured a great how-to on a table runner, that you should check out here.  I have to admit that I am intimidated by sewing machines since the last time I used one was Home Ec circa 1992, but I am really itching to get one now.  See how fabulous and easy that must be to make?  See how the table decor really is so simple, but the table runner gives it visual interest and looks fabulous?

 For complete instructions visit Style Me Pretty, photo via Style Me Pretty by Carrie Patterson

Just to prove my point about table runners, see more fabulous ones below:

Image from Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2008

Image from Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2006

Image from Martha Stewart Weddings Summer 2009     

Free Save the Date Template from Wedding Chicks

Ok, so I am kind of on a DIY kick at the moment.  But I just love when I come across beautiful, free, easy projects like this one from the Wedding Chicks.  They have made it so easy for you to print this totally gorgeous Save the Date from your home computer and get a completely professional result.  Click here to download the template from them.

Image from the Wedding Chicks.

Save the Date?  Check.  Done.

DIY Menu Project

Guest Blogger Mimi from Mika 78 had a super creative, lovely project on 100 Layer Cake the other day that I loved so much I just had to point you all to it.  She gives amazingly detailed instructions, and the end result is so worth a weekend of crafting!  Click here for the instructions on 100 Layer Cake.  This will add so much visual interest to a plain table that you could certainly save money by going with a much less ornate centerpiece if you invest a little time in these colorful menu cards.

Images via 100 Layer Cake  

Summer Wedding Escort Cards

So excited that it is finally March and we are eeking our way towards warmer weather.  I am certainly ready now, which is why I had to post this A-dorable escort card idea from Martha Stewart Weddings.  A DIY craft that really anyone could handle, and it is so stinking cute.  For tips on how to make this yourself, click on the Martha Stewart link above or below.

Image via Martha Stewart Weddings
 

Can it please be summer yet?

Doily String Lights

Um, hello, love this.  So cute!  So easy!  How adorable does this set of string lights look with white heart doilies attached to it?  Darling.  And so easy and inexpensive.  Just punch the light through the holes already in the doily, and you're all set.  Could definitely see this in a rustic, whimsical barn or ranch setting.

Image via Better Than Fine, which listed it's source as We Heart It (and in the unfortunate happenings of internet image sharing, the direct file on We Heart It was not linked, so if this is your design work or your photography, please let me know and I will add your credit.) 

Darling Origami Heart Project

I heart this.  This has got to be the cutest DIY heart project, and it has so many potential uses.  Originally designed by Eat Drink Chic, it was posted on Green Wedding Shoes as an extremely clever engagement party invitation.  It could also be used as a note to your sweetheart to be left for him on your wedding day (or any day of the year!), and I could see making the sweetest escort cards out of them.  Picture the hearts hanging from beautiful branches with the guests name on the outside and the table numbers inside.  It would be a delightful and whimsical touch to any wedding. LOVE them!

Images from Eat Drink Chic

And it gets even better.  Eat Drink Chic has posted a free template  you can download plus step by step instructions here

New things from around the Web

So in my browsing of wedding blogs and websites, I found two very interesting things that I wanted to share with you all.  The first is that there is a MEN's relationship/wedding blog.  Seriously.  And it's cool.  Kind of like what Thrillist is to Daily Candy, The Plunge blog is to all of the women's bridal blogs out there.   It expounds on topics such as a quiz to decide on if she's the one and guides on wedding planning and subsequent complications.  Definitely written by men for men.  Send it along to all of your engaged guy friends!

Also, I saw that Brooklyn Bride is hosting a very cool Bridal Show called Urban Wed that promises to be unlike the usual mayhem that ensues at these events if you've ever been to one.  The ticket sales are capped at a very small number so that you can actually talk to and get to know the hand-picked vendors she has selected to be there. Definitely something to check out if you are getting married!

 
  

Great Idea: DIY Menu Cards

I love the look of a menu card on each place setting at a table.  It gives additional visual interest to a table and also involves your guests more in the meal.  Martha Stewart has a great templates available for free online for a simple do it yourself project and Once Wed has a SUPER cute DIY menu with instructions on their website.  

 Martha Stewart Weddings Summer 2008

Once Wed 

Colorful bouquets

Now I appreciate the chic elegance of a white on white wedding, but what really makes me go 'wow' is a stunning, brightly colored bouquet popping against the white of a bride's dress.  It's a great way to shake things up at your traditional wedding by having delicious eye-candy for your bouquet that will take things to the next level of gorgeousness.  If you add in exotic flowers then I am just drooling over the luscious and unexpected bouquet.  What's your preference?  Traditional white bouquet or full of color?

Image from Elegant Bride Fall 2008

Image from Martha Stewart Weddings magazine Fall 2008

Image from Town & Country Weddings magazine Fall/Winter 2008

   Image from Town & Country Weddings Fall/Winter 2008

Table Inspiration from Miles Redd

Miles I would have come to dinner even if you hadn't set this beautiful table, but since you did, now I love you even more.  Miles Redd is absolutely one of my favorite interior designers.  He is a fearless color genius who creates the most fun environments that are beyond inspired.  I was going through the House Beautiful blog the other day as they have some great inspiration for tablescapes, and I saw an image I loved because of it's beautiful, vibrant colors, and so I was not surprised when the designer credit was Miles Redd.  How chic and fun, no?

Image from House Beautiful blog, design by Miles Redd  

Great Idea: More Stamp Options Than The Post Office

I was browsing on Jung Lee's blog and came across a great source for beautiful, unique stamps: Zazzle.  For any of you paper snobs out there who really care about the look of your invitations, save-the-dates, and response cards, you may be feeling like the post office is a bit lacking in fabulous stamps to go with your fabulous stationery.  So here is your solution, Zazzle has hundreds of very pretty stamps going way beyond the selection at the post office, and if none of those are to your liking, you can customize your stamps at a very reasonable cost.  They offer several different postage options from your save-the-date postcards to your odd size invitations, and overall, I just think that this is such a great resource to complete a cohesive, gorgeous invitation in an inexpensive way.

All images from Zazzle     

Great Idea: Wine Bottle Candle Holders

I came across this beautiful, clever idea for wine bottle candle holders as a fabulous centerpiece on the fantastically inspirational blog This is Glamorous.  This would be so easy, inexpensive and beautiful at a wedding for a dramatic centerpiece at a totally reasonable cost.  All you would have to do is to collect white wine bottles (try asking your local wine shop that does tastings if you can have the left over bottles after a few tasting nights, and you'll be all set!), strip them of their labels, buy taper candles to fit, and your beautiful centerpiece is done!  Add a few low level votives and a couple of bud vases for a drop dead gorgeous effect.  You will definitely be seeing this idea in one of my inspirational photo shoots coming up!  Another tip: part of what makes this so effective is the different height candles and the wax dripping on the bottles.  A couple of days before your wedding, assemble your bottles, and light the candles.  Blow a quarter out after 5 minutes, a quarter out after 10 minutes, a quarter after 15, and the last quarter after 20 minutes.  Then your centerpieces will be beautifully "lived in" at your reception.  I would also recommend bringing an extra box of taper candles that your caterer can fill in if you are going to have a long night of dancing.

Photography by Tom Mannion for Elle Decoration via This is Glamorous

Super Crafty, Totally Do-able DIY project from Betsy White

OMG.  Honestly I can't say enough positive things about this DIY project I stumbled across when reading the Betsy White blog, Flights of Fancy.  These favor bags are so cute, look totally professional, and seem like you could actually do it yourself without having to ask Martha Stewart to bail you out.  Here is a picture of the final project and the tools necessary (see, nothing too scary), and go and see for yourself that this project is actually doable with a printer and a hole punch.  Betsy White is so awesome that they give you the template you need for FREE, downloadable from their blog.  How awesome is that?  For the full instructions, visit this link to Flights of Fancy and enjoy!

 

 

LOVEly Wednesday

Need a little smile to get you through the rest of the week?  How about imagining yourself as the couple below? 

Photography by A Bryan Photography via Snippet & Ink

Or picturing this in your windowsill?  So cute!

  Arranged by Ariella Chezar, photography by Meg Smith,  via Snippet & Ink

Amazing Wedding Give-Away!

Just saw that Abby over at Style Me Pretty posted an unbelievable wedding give-away today.  A fabulous group of New England wedding vendors, led by Jessica's Country Flowers, is giving away an ENTIRE WEDDING.  Yes, really, everything from flowers, to invitations, coordination, dress, cake, etc. And to top it all off, they are giving it away to TWO couples who are do-gooders and couldn't afford the wedding of their dreams on their own.  Doesn't that make you feel good about the world?

If you or someone you know is one such do-gooder, you need to go to Jessica's Country Flowers website and enter your story into the comments section of her contact page. Abby has described all of the details of the give-away on her blog, and you can click here to see more info on Style Me Pretty.  Deadline to enter is July 1, 2010.

Problem solving: small venue

I saw this great wedding featured on The Bride's Cafe today, and thought that it was such a perfect example of how to deal with a narrow venue when you want to have both dinner and dancing in the same small space.  Solution: one long table for all of your guests on one side and dancing on the other, and voila, you have maximized your space.  Genius!  Plus, I love, love, love the red hot decor.

   

 
 Photography by Taylor Glen via The Bride's Cafe

Great idea: Postcard "Guest Book"

Instead of a guest book, how about having guests write notes to the newlyweds on vintage postcards from locations that are meaningful to both families and the bride and groom?  The display is lovely, and the postcards can be mailed to the bride and groom throughout the first year of their marriage by their parents for fun and unexpected reminders of their big day.   Um, who doesn't love to get mail??  Also love that this great idea was contributed by father-of-the-groom Lee for his son Loren's wedding to Catherine (and love that the groom's dad not only suggested this idea, but then owned the project and got all of the postcards and display pieces so as not to burden the already busy couple with one more project before their big day).  SO cute, right?

 

Great idea: Guest map + genealogy

I was lucky enough to have coffee last week with one of the coolest women in the wedding industry, Elana from Melangerie  .  Melangerie has the most unique paper and gift products around; the line is modern, customizable and just plain fun, and Elana is so creative and easy to work with.  I fell in love with the cleverness of her guest map and genealogy for your out of town guest welcome kits.  One side features a map with suggestions of things to do and the other features a who's who of guests attending to help everyone get acquainted.  Such a great idea and so well done.  What a perfect way to immediately set a creative tone for your wedding, plus provide your guests with something super useful? 

All images courtesy Melangerie.  To see even more unique ideas, visit www.melangerienyc.com     

Problem Solving: Bright dresses, what flowers?

If you have selected bright or deep colored bridesmaid's dresses and are afraid that your flowers will compete with it and everything will look "all crazy," try a monochromatic look instead of white flowers.  You will actually have less contrast and more continuity with "bright" flowers" in the matching hue of the "bright" dresses of your bridesmaids.  Check out the pictures below to see how deep red flowers are so subtle and lovely with deep red JCrew bridesmaid dresses.

 

 

All photography by Ara Farnam

 

In the beginning

There was a girl in NYC who quit her job because she had a great idea.  I'm that girl and this blog is an offspring of that great idea, and so now it seems that the journey really begins.  So come along for the ride; it's bound to be an adventure.

I hope to offer not just pretty pictures and great ideas, of which there will be plenty, but a little bit of myself as well.  Isn't part of what is interesting about this world of mostly female bloggers in the wedding, event, interior design categories, is that they've taken the initiative and they're doing it?  Don't we all kind of wonder what people with unconventional work schedules are like?  What they really do?  Are they the people at the cafe during the day?  Shopping in the afternoon on a Tuesday?  The ones who you look at jealously and suspiciously and wonder what they are doing and shouldn't they be at work?

Well, I might be one of those people you see and wonder about, and I'll tell you what I do, if you're interested.  Today I have lunch with my friend Kevin at the Standard Grille.  We'll be there in jeans (he's in grad school at the moment) making people wonder, what do these people do?  Don't they have jobs?  Well, we do have things to do.  But luckily we both don't have things to do that preclude us from having lunch out and getting to be the cool kids for a little while.

More to come...as I said, this is just the beginning of the journey.  And I've got a feeling that there is a lot more to come.

xoxo,

Ara