inspiration // chandeliers

Y'all love chandeliers, right?  Of course you do.  Duh.

In planning for an upcoming project I have with a few of my favorite fellow Ventura County wedding pros (we've got big news in the works!), I've been perusing all shapes, sizes, and styles of chandeliers on (you guessed it!) Pinterest. 

Feast your eyes, friends!  And if you're in the market for some dangling light fixtures, keep an open mind: chandeliers really do come in a variety of packages.


A couple of favorites (both prints on my walls!) from photographers Myan Soffia and Elle Moss
LOVE the Anthro vibe of these vintage-inspired lovelies from Recyclart.   A dramatic chandelier is always a good bet for adding a glam or "wow" factor to wedding styling (all four images from Style Me Pretty).  

What is your favorite style of chandelier -- do you prefer classic and traditional, modern and contemporary, reclaimed and unexpected?

 

inspiration // winter weddings

I've recently become quite convinced that winter weddings are my favorite.  And I've been curating a winter wedding Pinterest board and it's way too darn pretty to keep to myself, so check it out. :)

{ photography via Sloan Photographers & James Christianson }

Here are my favorite tips and suggestions for planning a classy, timeless, drop-dead gorgeous winter wedding celebration.

1. "Winter" does not mean "Christmas."  Just because your wedding might be in December, your wedding colors do not need to be red and green.  In fact, they shouldn't be red OR green!  Although I am pretty smitten with a winter wedding palette of emerald and silvery grey, save this color scheme for a January wedding so as not to be quite so cliché.  The closest to Christmas you're allowed to venture for a December wedding is anything silver or gold.  Explore other jewel tones, like dark navy, aubergine, or even a rich, dark, understated magenta, for your main wedding colors.  It'll be fresh and unexpected but still appropriately winter-inspired.  And don't let any woodland themes get too carried away, either -- aim for centerpieces that incorporate branches and even some antlers, but no deer silhouettes.  It's too "Santa's reindeer" for a December soirée.

{ via Blogging Simple }

2.  Glitter, sparkle, shine.  I am perpetually distracted by anything shimmery or shiny.  If it's got glitter, I'll probably fall in love with it, be it shoes, centerpieces, bridesmaid dresses, florals... you get the idea.  This might be a little obnoxious for some people, and really, it has to be done right to look fabulous.  The wrong kind of glitter (yes, there is such a thing) can turn a wedding tacky real fast.  If your wedding shimmer reminds you of a fresh dusting of snow, you're probably in the clear.  My favorite sources of sparkle: mercury glass, luxe statement jewelry, sparkling cupcake sprinkles, glittery heels, metallic nail polish, and twinkle lights EVERYWHERE.  And don't forget the sparklers for your grand exit. 

{ via Emily Steffen Photography & Harwell Photography for 100 Layer Cake }

3.  Consider grey or ivory for your dress.  Some of the most memorable winter weddings I've seen feature a bride in a luxurious gown in a variation of winter white.  If your winter wedding sparkle is of the gold variety, I'd recommend a cream or ivory-hued dress.  If you've got some silver shimmer going on, go for grey.  Yes, grey!  Done right, this is one of the most beautifully chic wedding dress colors I've come across.  If you're not okay with grey for your own dress, it's a truly lovely, classic color for your bridesmaids (and, yes, they will wear these dresses again!).  Or go for grey accents (sash, jewelry, hairpieces, shoes).

   { via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 } Gorgeous greys for winter wedding alternatives to bridal white.  

Another way to ensure your wedding dress is winter-inspired?  Lots of luxe details.  Leave the simple, plain sheath dresses for those beachy, summer brides and command attention with lace, appliques, embroidery, and other (tasteful!) embellishments.

{ photography via Tec Petaja & McGowan Images }

Alright, winter brides: go forth and show us what a glamorous wintry wedding is all about!  Remember to cruise by my winter wedding Pinterest board for more inspiration.

weddings // mani Monday nails

Happy Monday, y'all!  I've been "Little Miss Weddings" lately as a bridesmaid, wedding photographer, and good ol'-fashioned wedding guest.  As a result, I wanted to share some of my favorite sightings of lovely wedding-appropriate manicures, courtesy of (what else?!) Pinterest!


I am generally in favor of crazy nails with bold colors, patterns and designs, and experimentation -- but NOT on your wedding day.  I found a lot of over-the-top ideas on Pinterest (just search "wedding nails" and you'll see what I mean) and some of them are borderline acceptable, but for the most part I think sticking with soft pink, blush, or peach tones is a good idea, or go with the good old-fashioned French tips.  My only exception to this (aside from subtle glitter) is going red.  It's still a classic shade and if it fits your wedding and your personality, go for it.

What do you think?  What did your wedding day manicure look like?  Would you rock a bold color or fancy design on your nails for your wedding?

Please, whatever you do, don't do this for your wedding.  Or ever.  I beg you.

Linking up with Heather & Heather!

Pinspiration: girl crush.

I've had this board on Pinterest for awhile now called "Girl Crush."  Pretty straightforward.  Thanks to Nay at Cover to Cover for giving me the courage to post my girl crushes for the world to see.  :)



Okay, first up is, obviously, Zooey Deschanel.  She's freakin' adorable, down-to-earth, and equal parts sexy and hilarious (as demonstrated by my choice of images below).


Then there's Emma Stone.  I first fell for Emma Stone's sultry voice and gorgeous red hair in "Superbad."  I still need to watch "Zombieland," and then "Easy A" really clinched it for me.  I pretended not to like her at first because she kinda reminded me of an ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend at the time, but it was just jealousy.  I still prefer her as a redhead, but she can rock ANY hair color she's tried.  I love you, Emma.

I mean, hello?!  Gorgeous!

I also can't seem to get enough of Miranda Kerr.  I first crushed on her in the pages of my Victoria's Secret catalog.  She's just so cute, with a killer body.  Nice work, Orlando Bloom.

Sex. Pot.

I have a few other girl crushes who are a little less celebrity... is that weird?  There are a few bloggers I know who just ROCK their outfit posts in part because of their awesome sense of style, in part because of their sheer gorgeousness!  You know who you are...

Kinsey of Sincerely, Kinsey.  I also have a crush on Kinsey's photography.  

Katie of Skunkboy

Laura of Violet Bella
 

For my big finale, I bring you Christina Hendricks of Mad Men.  She's SO sexy and what I consider actually curvy (not this Sofia Vergara version of "curvy").  In the best possible ways.  And apparently, I have a thing for redheads.  ;) 

Linking up...