weddings, weddings, weddings

This weekend is jam-packed full of weddings! Got to work extra early this morning and out to a venue to help set up, we have rentals lined up in the back ready for their wedding day debut and playing wedding coordinator tomorrow for a wonderful family {whos guest list has stretch well beyond 400. Yes, 400! How fun is that?!}. Have a lovely weekend and talk to you again come Monday!

karen + leonard

There is nothing I love more than working with nice, organized and creative people. So when Karen came by my shop I was thrilled to help her {considering she was a whole lot of all three wonderful characteristics}. She was in the mist of pulling off the best wedding day surprise ever… not for her husband, but for her entire family and closest friends. The plan was in motion. She invited the special attendees to an engagement party at her apartment, but what they didn’t know was the party was actually their wedding. Eeek! A wedding! The layout of Karen and Leonard’s apartment was perfect. Upon entering the front door, guests trekked up a flight of stairs before the shock and confusion set in. A photographer captured the surprised looks on each guest’s face as they learned they were about to witness two wonderful people commit to a lifetime of love. I mean, what could be better than that?! Following the nuptials {and as the initial shock wore off} the guests were relocated to the clubhouse for cupcakes, drinks and smiles. I have a sneaky suspicion this is a wedding their guests will not soon forget! Congrats Karen and Leonard and their little man {how adorable is he?!}!

Photos: Verna Starling Photography

summer loving

As most people complain about the Texas heat, I smile. Because I love summer. This past weekend I spotted my first firefly of the season while enjoying Annie in Zilker Park, I’ve attended several free music nights out with many left to experience {including The Trishas and Amy Cook--oooobsessed!}, used and abused springs and watering holes around the Hill Country and, of course, had a few concoctions in backyards and porches. I’m telling ya--summer is great! I hope this inspiration board makes you smile and think of summer-y goodness.

shoulda, coulda, woulda

I shoulda had this updated version of a guestbook at my wedding {considering we were married under a 400 yr oak and a tree was a reoccurring theme throughout our wedding}. I totally coulda if I had more time in between grad school burnout and typical wedding stressors and obligations. Goodness, I woulda treasured it forever! Oh well, what can I do?! Here are a few images I recently saw of the family tree/thumbprint guest sign-in...

via & via

peony overload

Okay y’all, I get it… every bride likes peonies. And I don’t blame you, they are very pretty flowers. But with large, pretty flowers come large, not-so pretty price tags that most brides are not prepared to pay for. Not to mention, peonies are a spring flower which seriously limits their usage in most weddings. So here are some alternatives {and my current favorite flowers to play with}…

Dahlias! The bloom comes in a wide range of sizes, from three inches wide to twelve inches, YES!, TWELVE. Available in a variety of colors from white to pink to orange to yellow dahlias are simply spectacular. Use the largest of large dahlia {sometimes referred to as the “dinner plate” flower} in a cluster for a soft, yet textured bouquet or as the main, showstopper flower within your arrangement…

Mums! When most people hear the word “mum” they think of those tacky-worn in the 8th grade-for football homecoming-accessories, which could leave a bitter memory in anyone’s mind. But today I look past that football tradition and have grown to love mums. Depending on size, mums can be very affordable. Currently, I’m in love with a mum that looks like it just leaped off a page in a Dr. Seuss book. Soft, yet full of texture will make any arrangement worth gawking at!

friday... finally!

Wishing you and yours a happy, easy going weekend. Meet you back here Monday!

gift giving gone good

If you are anything like me, you often come across THE PERFECT gift for someone and instead of purchasing it right then and there you tell yourself “remember this for {insert name here}’s birthday”, then as the special date creeps around the corner you completely forget what that perfect gift was and where you saw it. You’d think I have learned my lesson, but nope, this is a reoccurring theme in my life! So here you go… since we all don’t want to shower her with kitchen accessories or bath towels, this is me helping you make that special bride’s gift stand out amongst the heaping pile of crate and barrel gift boxes.

go-n-find: name hanger, wooden cake topper, custom stamp, his&her forks, ring holder, paper masterpieces

bohemian flair

Maybe it’s because it runs through in my blood {as a Czech} or my slight interest of disregarding traditional or conventional norms of behavior. Wherever this may stem from, I appreciate it and can’t help but get giddy-energized-thrilled when I see loosely design flowers mixed with eclectic and unusual accent pieces that just scream BOHEMIAN!

i like a challenge

Warning: Lucky for you, I can be very critical and picky to perfection. I use this to my advantage… Before anything leaves my shop I ask myself if I’d be happy using the item and proud to show it off to others {whatever it may be}. If I wouldn’t, then I fix it or find an alternative that I am proud to share.

About a month ago the-soon-to-be-mother-in-law of one of my bride’s {did you catch that or do I need to repeat myself?!} contacted me and asked me to create arrangements with apples and hydrangea for the rehearsal dinner. Though she suggested a clear bowl with apples in the bottom and adorned with a white hydrangea, I knew I just couldn’t do that. It wasn’t my style. I played with several ideas and finally settled {contentedly} on using our pillar candle holders in lieu of a vase, adding two white hydrangeas and placing apples intermittently throughout the arrangements. With navy linens and apple green napkins the arrangements pulled the look together. The outcome: modern and fun.

And here’s the bouquet of the same bride I previously mentioned…

buttermilk garden roses, scabiosa pods, billy balls, chocolate cosmos, grasses and succulents

raven + 5

After a month of fostering the four most adorable kittens, OH BOY, was it hard returning them to the shelter last Friday. I miss how Bronx would find his way under my feet as I walked through the house, how Brooklyn demanded I sit cross-legged so he could curl up just perfectly in the gap, how York made me work for his affection and trust and how Manhattan found a boyfriend in my cat {Dash}. Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx and York are now available for adoption at the Williamson County Animal Shelter. Stop by and visit with them, they will steal your heart before you even know it! In two more months Mama Raven and her five little off springs will be ready for a new home...

color and charm

Becha haven’t seen old school paper links since elementary art period. Well, I’m on a personal mission to bring them back… at least for this tablescape! If you learn anything from this design let it be: 1.) you can never go wrong with the addition of natural elements {in this instance; burlap}, 2.) keep colors simple for a cohesive look and 3.) HAVE FUN WITH IT! Weddings do not need to be formal, stuffy affairs. Infuse your own personal style through the little details. These are the things that will make your event beyond spectacular.

Photos: Jackson Wright Photography

Venue: San Gabriel House Bed and Breakfast
Antiques: The Gatherings (1009 South Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX)

a garden affair

The San Gabriel House Bed and Breakfast was the perfect backdrop for the garden tablescape I had envisioned. The backyard boasts beautifully free growing, yet manicured plants and flowers while the trees stand tall as stringed lights drape to give off the ever so elegant night twilight that every wedding calls for. We are so lucky to have built a solid relationship with the unbelievably sweet Dee and Neil (the owner’s of the wonderful B&B) as we work with them on a regular basis to create superb events in their very own backyard. They have recently opened their home/B&B to intimate weddings and found that it was exactly what people were looking for as the B&B begins to book more and more weddings every day!

Photos: Jackson Wright Photography
Venue: San Gabriel House Bed and Breakfast
Antiques: The Gatherings (1009 South Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX)

earthy chic simplicity

As I'm sure you already know, I love to keep things simple. Too often I see weddings that are so over done that my eyes don't know what to focus on. You know, it's kinda like that friend of yours that you absolutely love, but you get so tired and drained from her endless talking that you have to find any excuse to walk away for a brief moment of silence. And here is where the sweet sound of silence comes into play...

rural whimsy

This one is probably my favorite Sweet Sunday design. The understated satin linen with bright pink and purple flowers fit oh-so perfectly together. It’s completely rustic, earthy, and chic with hits of wonderful whimsy through the use of antique vanity mirrors and cream and sugar which doubled as vases. I just love everything about it!

Photos: Jackson Wright Photography

Venue: Reunion Ranch
Antiques: The Gatherings (1009 South Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX)

donATE

Funds may be running low due to the abundance of homeless animals at the shelter, but the spirits of volunteers and employees of the Wilco Animal Shelter are much higher. Haven’t fulfilled your good deed of the day yet? Then be sure to stop by Georgetown’s Mama Fu’s for a quick bite and help support the helpless animals. Help save animals through donations, adoption, fostering or volunteering {even if just an hour a week}.

Good morning everyone {a note from the shelter manager}

We have lots of adorable kittens at the shelter that need foster homes.

Some of them who are the most in need are kittens with ringworm. Ringworm is a fungus not a worm. The fungal infection on the skin is contagious but contamination can be limited by proper hand washing procedure, washing bedding with bleach, washing brushes etc. and containment of the pet. Athlete’s foot crème is very helpful in treating the infected areas.

We also have some puppies with ringworm.

As you know, the shelter is very full this time of year and now we are in the position of having to euthanize kittens because they have something as simple as ringworm. Imagine if someone told you that you were not save able because you have athlete’s foot!

If you are able to foster puppies or kittens (with or w/o ringworm or those who have colds) please contact us at the shelter.

943-3322. Thanks for your support!

rustic romance

I know, I know. Shame on me. I've been MIA for a bit too long on the blogging front. But I’m back now, ready and excited to share our designs that will grace the pages of our new lookbook. Today {and the rest of the week} I will feature one tablescape that yours truly “threw” together. May you enjoy what you see and find inspiration for your own event!

Photos: Jackson Wright Photography

Venue: Reunion Ranch

Antiques: The Gatherings (1009 South Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX)

happy holiday

stars and stripes

July... It's already July?! How did that happen? Wasn't Christmas just last month? Any-who, here's to a new month and another reason to throw a party. Happy Independence, America!