Style Me Pretty

July 4th!

Happy 4th of July everyone! This is honestly one of my favorite holidays. The food, the family, the fireworks. Love it all. And guess what...I am passing it all up this weekend to work on getting our new Style Me Pretty site design fine tweaked and brushed off, so that we can launch it on our goal of July 15th.

So, in lieu of posts today, I am going to leave you with lots of Patriotic wishes and one very Patriotic Color Palette!

Starting Top Left, Counterclockwise: Red Shoes Photo: Flickr Photo; Red bottles: Unknown; Cupcakes Image: Getty Images; Mustang photo: Tamara Lackey Photography; Fireworks image: Getty Images; Table image: Getty Images; CrackerJacks Image: Tamara Lackey Photography; Seating programs: Martha Stewart Weddings; Invitations: Bella Figura; Bridesmaid Dress: Nordstrom, David Meister Dot Print

This palette was sent to me by Wendy, the designer behind the blog A Southern Accent.  Thanks so much, Wendy. And to everyone who is celebrating the 4th today, eat an extra hot dog for me!

Color Palette Contest, Day 4

Our next entry is all about blue...the designer has titled it "Something Very Blue!" since blue seems to be such a popular wedding color...

Color Palette Contest, Day 4

We have another Pink & Green inspired board for our next entry...

Color Palette Contest, Day 4

This next coral and green palette was inspired by the incredible book, Cabinet of Natural Curiosities...

Color Palette Contest, Day 4

Here is our next contest entry! The inspiration image is the pink dress and green shoes that the designer found on Brides.com...

And remember, you can see all of the entries on either the Color Palette page or the Contests page!

Color Palette Contest, Day 4

Our next entry was inspired by the photo in the top left corner, a room at the Blakes Hotel in London, designed by Annouska Hempel...

Top left, original picture, Blakes Hotel, London; Flowers, Rebecca Thuss; Invitation, Inkylivie (Etsy seller); Gown, Karen Jarmarkier

Color Palette Contest, Day 4

Our next entry for today was inspired by the incredible photo at the top, found on Flickr...

Flowers from Ariella Chezar,  Dress from a 1953 Vogue, via Conde Nast, Post card reply card from Bird and Banner, Ranunculus from Saipua, And vintage dress from Dulcinée

Color Palette Contest, Day 4

Today is the fourth day in our Color Palette Contest and I have to tell you, we have some absolutely beautiful boards that have yet to be shown. I am so inspired by the taste and style of each and every entry and I have loved featuring the work of real brides out there! Let's get to it!

This next board is inspired by the incredible peacock image at the top...

Color Palette Contest, Day 3

This next board was inspired by the Lands End advertisement featuring the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and camp blankets...

Color Palette Contest, Day 3

Here is our next entry, all about Blue, Black and White...

Too see all of the entries, click on Color Palettes at the top of the blog or on our Contest section!

Color Palette Contest, Day 3

The next entry in our Color Palette Contest was inspired by the Kay Unger dress in the top left corner...

white dress by: Kay Unger, blue dress by: jasmine b2 collection, cake: Collette Foley Specialty Baking (theknot.com), flowers: The Flowersmiths, Plymouth (theknot.com), necklace: nutraj (etsy.com)

Color Palette Contest, Day 3

This next entry was inspired by this Dragonfly print found on Etsy...

And the color palette...

invitation by birdandbanner.com, bridesmaids' dresses by davidsbridal.com (in their newest color, Lapis), Lavender found on Flickr by wedding photgrapher Anne Ruthmann,  flower girl photo by PhotoJennic, Ring Pillow by Charlotte Geary, Necklace by Etsy seller Gingeroni1,  Place Setting by brides.com

Color Palette Contest, Day 3

This next entry was inspired by the cake image captured by Amy Squires...

Color Palette Contest, Day 3

The next entry in our Color Palette Contest was inspired by the top left image of Pin Up Girl Clothing...

bottom left: invitation by Gourmet Invitations Blog,top right: cake by Lovin Sullivan, middle right: bouquet by Bizarre Wedding Flowers Blog, bottom right: cufflinks by Cufflinks on Etsy

Color Palette Contest, Day 3

This next entry was inspired by the amazing lighthouse image in Round Island, Michigan...

Top Row: Inspiration Photo, Bride and Groom by Jamie Collins Photography /Center Row: Cake by Rebecca Thuss /Bottom Row: Invites by CECI New York, Flower Image by Cheri Pearl Photography

Color Palette Contest, Day 3

Our next entry was inspired by the fabric in the bottom photo...

 

Color Palette Contest, Day 3

It's Day 3 of our Color Palette Contest and we have had such beautiful entries thus far! I am so excited to share even more with you...so, let's get right to it!

Our next entry was inspired by the vibrancy of old fashioned lemon sticks...

And here is the color palette that these yummy candies inspired...

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

The next entry in our competition was inspired by this incredible mantle on Martha Stewart...

And the lovely board that resulted from this inspiration...

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

The next entry is inspired by the top left photo designed by prop stylist Phyllis Asher...

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

Our next entry is all about the purple, inspired by that amazing Domino Magazine room in the top left corner...

Original Inspiration, Domino Magazine, Hickey Freeman Lavender Wide Striped Silk Tie,Martha Stewart Chrysanthemum Meringue Cake, Tufi Duek Lavender Satin Adriana High Neck Dress,J. Crew Lucinda Gown,Sundance Phoebe Ring,Green Bouquet

 

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

Our next entry was inspired by the pretty trees in the top left photo...

Remember, you can see all entries by clicking on Color Palettes at the top of the blog, or on the Contests page!

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

Our next entry for today was inspired by the incredible image in the top left photo by National Geographic...

Left column: National Geographic; Warp and Weft; Bride; Bride
Right column: Bride; Tim Walker Art; Luxury Desert Tents; This is Glamour

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

Our next entry was inspired by the top left photo...

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

This next entry in our Color Palette Contest was inspired by the gorgeous sitting room in the top left photo...

Blue dress - Maggy London from Nordstrom's, Cake - The Knot, Invitations - The Knot, Men's Suit - The Knot, Earrings - Banana Republic, Dress - Ann Taylor

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

The next entry was inspired by the image in the top left corner by Polly Wreford on Sarah Kaye...

green placesetting--Polly Wreford, tablescape--maria mcbride, romona keveza wedding gown--brides.com, black & white desert--rebecca thuss, collins wedding invite--the lettered olive

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

The next entry in our Color Palette Contest was inspired by this beautiful painting...

And the color palette that was designed from the painting...

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

This next entry was inspired by a photograph that the designer took of an abandoned Sugar Mill on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean...

Here is the color board that the photograph inspired...

Dress on L'ezu Atelier, Chandelier on Project Wedding, Invitation on Fuzzyink Designs, Label on Olivers & Co, Dress on JCrew, Crystals on The Knot, Cake on Carrie's Cake

Color Palette Contest, Day 2

It's day 2 of our Color Palette Contest and we have some absolutely beautiful boards for you today! Let's get right to it! This entry was inspired by the incredible piece of artwork on the top left photo...

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

The next entry in our Color Palette Contest was inspired by the AMAZING Elum letterpress note set in the center/left image...

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

This next entry was inspired by the center image, a driftwood and sea glass picture frame that the designer found on Etsy...

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

This next entry (and remember, you can see ALL of the entries in our Color Palette section) was inspired by those beloved placecards that Rebecca Thuss features on her site (center/right image)...

Inspiration image: Rebecca Thuss name cards / Bouquet: Brooke Howsley/Pollen Floral Art, with coral peonies, lemons, double yellow tulips and roses / Soup appetizer: The Knot, photo by Red Gallery Photography / Dress: The Knot, photo by Kimberley White Photography /  Dog Collar: Etsy, Lily May Dog Ware / Tent: The Knot, Flashes Photography / Fabric Buttons: Etsy, Odannysgirl

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

This next entry was inspired by a color palette on Domino Magazine Online featured in the top left photo...

Raspberry dress by Loralie, Blue Cocktails by Maura McEvoy on Jupiter Images, Shoe by Mossimo at Target, Invitation on Wedding Paper Divas, Dinnerware by Wedgewood via Toast and Tables

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

Our next entry was inspired by the incredible photograph of Summer berries in the top left photo...

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

Our next entry was inspired by the cherry tomato centerpiece in the top left photo...

centerpiece photo from {frolic},  tie photo from Martha Stewart Weddings, pies from Country Living via Brides, lantern from Jose Villa, bouquet from The Knot,  boutonniere from Martha Stewart,  cornhusk wreath from Martha Stewart,  cherries from Lisa Vorce and OH, HOW CHARMING!

The designer sees this wedding as a "farm elegant celebration, with an emphasis on delicious food and great details like the fruit pies (instead of cake), a hand-lettered sign pointing to the church, a late-night s'mores buffet, and an antique truck for the couple to drive away in at the end of the night."

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

A quick note before we jump into our next entry...the main page of the blog only holds five posts, so the entries contest can be seen under the color palette section of our site or under the contest portion of the site!

Our next entry was inspired by this stunning pink, cream and brown room...

And here is the board designed based on the above photo...

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

The next entry in our color palette contest was inspired by a photograph taken of the designer and her best friend wearing raspberry and blue dresses...

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

Our next entry was inspired by the amazing room from Domino Magazine featured in the top left corner of the board...

This designer loves how "worldly and feminine and humbly stylish" this room is, with "the bold colors set against the cultural patterns." She would love to see this event translated "through scroll invites, faux mink + animal print runners...a mix of peonies, dahlias and marigolds."

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

Our next entry was inspired by the beautiful set of stationery, designed by Hammerpress , featured at the top of the board...

Stationary by Hammerpress Inc., Yellow Dress by JCrew, Flowers from Rosenow Floral, Cake by April Reed, Hair Flower by Twigs and Honey

The designer was going for a "chic interpretation of primary colors, with a wonderful vintage modern feel."

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

Our fourth entry was inspired by a photograph that the designer took while visiting the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in Minnesota...

And, here is the board that she designed based on the above photo...

Red Gown on JCPenney, Stationary from Wiley Valentine, Cake Knife & Server from Impressions are Everything, Snowflake Bottle Stopper Favor on My Dream Wedding, Cupcakes on Great Wedding Cakes

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

Our third entry was inspired by the incredible pink, orange and yellow bouquet in the center...

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

Our second entry was inspired by the largest image...the ceremony built around the gorgeous tree...

Color Palette Contest, Day 1

Today is day one of our color palette contest! We had a HUGE response to this...literally hundreds of entries. Although I so wish that I could post each and every one, I have chosen to feature those that I felt would "show" the best on the blog. We are going to be posting a stream of palettes all day, every day for the entire week. Because Friday is a holiday, we are going to extend the contest into the beginning of next week, with voting on Tuesday. In the meantime,  am sure that the designers would love to hear your feedback!

Let's get right to it with  Entry #1! Here is the Michelle Rago image that inspired this reader...

And here is the Eggplant, Raspberry, Orange and Green color palette that was designed based on the above image....

Color Palette Contest!

I just wanted to remind everyone over the weekend that we are having a Color Palette Contest here on Style Me Pretty! The challenge is to find one picture that completely inspires you...whether it's a pretty picture from your favorite magazine, a snapshot that you took on a family vacation or just an image that you stumbled upon that you love. Anything goes. Then, create a color board inspired by that image!

Original Image by Sarah Kaye, photography by Chris Everard, Invitations by Ceci NY, Yellow Dress Yoana Baraschi on Bluefly, Flowers by Ariella Chezar, Couple photographed by Amanda Kraft

The color board should be formatted similarly to those that I have featured on Style Me Pretty, using 5-8 images within 2 wide columns. I've found that this is the best layout for our blog format.

You can submit word documents, power point docs, jpegs or pdf files (jpegs are preferable). The deadline for entry is Friday, June 27th and I will feature my favorites on the week of Monday, June 30th. We will all vote for the winner that Friday. The prize will be a $250 gift certificate to the online store of your choice (must be US based and have the option to buy gift certificates online)!

All boards should be emailed, along with the original image that inspired the design, to abby at style me pretty dot com. 
 

Color Palette & Contest

Here is the last color palette for today, inspired by the gorgeous lemon yellow image by Michele Michael...

Original Image by Michele Michael, Stationery by Moontree Letterpress, Caviar and Yellow Votive on Brides.com, Boutonniere by Petal Pushers, Yellow Dress on Nordstrom

Yellow is such an unbelievably cheerful color. It is the perfect palette for a Spring or Summer wedding, and yet today...I wanted to look at bringing the hue into a more organic, earthy vibe. I love the infusion of rust in the men's tie and the base of the lemon centerpiece. A tailored bridesmaid dress, hobnail candle holders and pretty yellow stationery bring kind of an vintage, ethnic charm to the look.

***

A Contest! So, after a fun day of color palettes, I thought that it was time to put this same challenge out to our readers! After all, some of our most innovative inspiration boards and real weddings are designed by YOU guys. Here's the deal...

Find one picture that completely inspires you...whether it's the colors within the image, the style or just the general feel that you get when you see it. Then, create a color board inspired by that image. The color board should be formatted similarly to those that I have featured today, using 5-8 images within 2 wide columns. I've found that this is the best layout for our blog format.

You can submit word documents, power point docs, jpegs or pdf files (jpegs are preferable). The deadline for entry is Friday, June 27th and I will feature my favorites on the week of Monday, June 30th. We will all vote for the winner that Friday. The prize will be a $250 gift certificate to the online store of your choice (must be US based and have the option to buy gift certificates online)!

All boards should be emailed, along with the original image that inspired the design, to abby at style me pretty dot com. 

Color Palette - Pinks & Reds

I love this color palette...a pretty, but chaotic blend of pinks, reds and oranges. To me, this look is perfect for a Spring or Summer outdoor affair, where you can bring in prints and textures that don't fight with the natural decor of the space...

Original Image by Michele Michael, Flowers by Rosenow Floral, Invitation by Bird & Banner, Fabric Invitation Pockets by Bird & Banner, Dress by Bluefly

The original Michele Michael image is a wedding inspiration in and of itself...a busy printed table cloth, paired with a nice bundle of pink tulips and contrasting modern, white chairs. I brings clean lines together with pretty chaos. I love that. It's feminine, but still a bit funky. It's creative and yet still chic.

Color Palette - Whites

The next Michele Michael inspiration is all about the layering of whites. Adding a butter yellow, a slightly deeper burlap or linen color and a few natural greens really rounds out this clean, organic palette...

Original Image by Michele Michael, Invitation by The Lettered Olive, Floral Design by James Abel Events (photographed by Studio 563), Cake by the Frosted Pumpkin, Dress by Chelsea Flower on Bluefly

I have always been a fan of layered whites. In fact, my home is basically designed using a series of neutrals and whites...a palette that seems so fresh and airy, so romantic and charming. So of course, I love this look for a wedding. The key is to find different shades of white (from pale yellows to antique creams and natural linens) and to layer various textures and styles, creating a look that has a sense of depth and simple luxury.

Color Palette - Brick & Orange

I am in love with this brick red and orange color palette, with hints of olive green. It's rustic and casual, but with a few sophisticated details could be completely transformed into an elegant affair...

Original Image by Michele Michael, Oranges by Fiore Designs, Tablescape Image by Lori O'Toole, Flowes by Rosenow Floral, Dress by Maggie London at Nordstrom

 

I chose the Michele Michael image on the top left because it just seems like the perfect marriage of chic and country. I can completely envision a wedding out on an old farm, tables adorned with a lighter pink linen (just like in the center/right image), florals that are a blend of oranges, deep reds and olive greens, and maids that are pretty but sophisticated in a wine colored gown. I love the end effect. You could really dress this up with a hodge podge of vintage glassware, rimmed in gold and tons of votive candles.

Dear Abby

Our next questions comes from Jam (short for Jahmeilah) who could really use our help with her wedding colors...

Q: I am writing because I am getting married this August and still slightly nervous about our colors. The bridesmaids will be wearing deep red dresses but so far everything else is lime green (inspired by my love for cymbidium orchids), white, and deep/dark wood (b/c of our love for all things nature and the elements of our reception site). Our invitations were lime and white, our aisle runner will be white a will the ceremony chairs.We're not going to have a lot of flowers, just my bouquet and some bouts for the men, for centerpieces we both would really like to do wheatgrass is dark stained wooden boxes. We do have two large urns we're going to use to frame us during the ceremony and we're still undecided about what to fill them with so there's potential there. And I was thinking of using tissue paper pomanders to line the aisle and add some color so maybe there's potential there as well. But in terms of the reception all we've decided on are the wheatgrass centerpieces.

One of our fears from day one is that things will be too christmasy which isn't want we want. Now I am nervous that I am not incorporating enough of the deep red into things. So far all I've found is the attached picture from The Knot's spring/summer magazine.



How important is it that we have a lot of both colors? Any help is greatly appreciate!

What do you guys think? What can Jam do to bring in color but also avoid that Christmas-looking feel?  For me, it's hard to avoid the Christmas feel when your colors are red and green. I spent the afternoon trying to figure out how to create this look and feel while capturing a light-hearted, Summer affair. Here is what I came up with...

Deep Red dresses on Bluefly, Cake by Tanja Lippert, Grass by Hatch Creative Studio, Apples and Flowers by Tanja Lippert

I have said it a few times on this blog, but it really is amazing just how much of a decor element the bridesmaids can be! Stick to a bright and fresh lime green palette, with white and deep woods while letting your girls be your accent color. I would also make sure to incorporate very notably Summer details...big bowls of fresh limes & apples, pretty white parasols for your guests, boxes of grass that hold place cards and such. Little elements like these will steer the look away from Christmas and much more into a pretty Summer style.

If you do want to bring the red in, make sure to do so subtly and Summery...bowls of cherries and strawberries like one commenter mentioned would be perfect. Thin red ribbon tying up favor boxes or securing napkins, floating red flowers in clear bowls along the bar, things like that.

Dear Abby

Our next question comes from Kate...

Q: I am having a spring wedding, and interested in using "grass green" as my main color.  I would like some accent colors as well, and was thinking either pale purple or pale pink or going black, white and grass green.

What do you guys think would be the perfect accent color to a grass green foundation? For me, it was a no brainer...right now, I am loving green & white, paired with a pretty Spring-time yellow. From the comments that we've received so far, it looks like I am not alone!

Green dress by Bluefly, Tulips by James Abel, Letterpress by The Lettered Olive, Yellow Favors by The Lettered Olive, Green Thank You by The Brand Hatchery, photographed by Tanja Lippert

What I will say is that green is a relatively neutral color and looks truly gorgeous paired with just about any color. By simply varying the hues...bringing in a chartreuse green, a deep green and perhaps even a yellow/green...you can create a palette that is rich in dimension and natural beauty. Pairing it with black would bring a contemporary vibe. Pairing with various shades of deep pink and raspberry would be gorgeous and feminine.

Dear Abby...Color Palettes

Today is all about color palettes. Color palette dilemmas are by far the most popular dear abby questions that I get, so I thought we needed a day devoted to finding and settling on the right color palette. Since SMP readers are so creative and many of them are in the same boat, I thought we could tackle these questions together.

Our first question comes from Elissa...

Q: I am having a really hard time finding anything (pictures of real weddings, pictures from magazines, invitations, etc) in the color scheme I have envisioned and I'm beginning to think it's because I did not pick colors that work together. My ceremony is in a Tuscan Garden (under a bronze gazebo with fireplace) and the reception is being held in an all white room with large windows (taking place in November 2009).  I have picked Wine as the primary color (and even found great BM dresses in the perfect shade) but I wanted to brighten everything up and keep it a fun/more casual atmosphere with apple green, burnt orange, and maybe some raspberry accents.  Again I can't find anything even similar to this palette - I am in the very beginning stages of planning and can change the colors. Can this palette be done?

What do you guys think? Is this palette too difficult to achieve or is she on the right track? Here are my thoughts...I think that a deep wine color as a foundation is PERFECT for a fall wedding in a Tuscan Garden. I played around with a lot of different accent colors and this is the board that I was most drawn to...

Dress by Jenny Yoo, Orange Accents by Fiore Designs, Flowers by Fiore Deigns, Boutonniere by Crimson and Clover, Box of Greens by Vesou and photographed by Trever Hoehne

I love the muted raspberry boutonniere, paired with touches of orange, peach and a brighter green. I also envision gold or bronze lanterns of various sizes and heights accenting the area. Filing the vases with cranberries or deep colored beans, as one commenter mentioned, would be a lovely way to bring the palette back to that gorgeous wine color. The entire palette seems really rich, warm and elegant to me....everything that a Fall inspired wedding should be!

Dear Abby

Our next Dear Abby question is in regards to bridesmaids dresses which I know we ALL struggle with!

Q: My bridesmaids mean the world to me. They are all very different in their shapes, skin tones and financial status'. So, I thought I would make it easy on them and just ask them to buy their own black bridesmaids dress. Our wedding is in the Spring and will likely be outdoors. Will this work? Should I choose an accent color?

What do you guys think about wearing black in a Spring Wedding? What secondary color(s) would you pair with the classic shade?

A: I think that using black dresses is always classic. Always chic. No matter what time of year it is. It's the colors and the styles that you pair with the black that really create the style of your wedding. When I first read your dilemma, I immediately thought of that amazing Real Wedding that we featured a few months back, sent to us by Cotton Idea Studio. I love the pairing of the fresh, crisp green and whites with the oh-so-sophisticated black. So, that's just what I've envisioned for you...