This Valentine’s Inspired party is all about Roses and Rosé or better described as that time I fell head over heals in love with a cookie.  Press for Rosé – yeah that would be the one. It’s tucked inside a shindig filled with yummy bites, delicious desserts, a drink spread way too pretty for words and pick a posy bar too. The masterminds behind this inspiration include Holly Chapple + Laura Hooper + Abby Jiu with even more inspiration in the VAULT.

Valentines Day is all about spending time with your loved ones. On February 14th you might make reservations for a special dinner with your significant other, but before that, why not throw a party for the other “sweethearts” in your life, your girlfriends! Here are the steps to throw the perfect “Roses & Rosé Soireé”. This idea is a creative twist for the holiday that’s all about love’s quintessential pairing – flowers and wine.

The Food

I called upon my talented friend, Tiffany of Buttercream Bakeshop, to create some desserts for the party. She whipped up the amazing “Press for Rosé” cookies as well as some cheesecake tarts topped with the same edible flowers used for the drinks. For the display, I love the stackable tower of cake stands by Rosanna. This was such a great find because the stands are so versatile for any display. And they add the much needed height!

For savory, Heirloom crafted brunchy bites that guests could nibble on while sipping rosé. Heirloom cooked up petite quiche in two flavors – truffled porcini and pork belly with chive. They also made another yummy appetizer that were a big hit, spiced latte pancakes with brulêed bananas topped with a maple mascarpone.

The Rosé Bar

Start off by welcoming your gals with a beautiful rosé bar. It is so easy to make this beautiful display and your guests will love it! I found rose bud flower tea and used the buds to make my own ice cubes that topped off the rosé displayed in vintage silver champagne buckets.

For the rosé itself, add a nice garnish by making gold foiled edible flowers. You can buy the beautiful blooms online and then top them with edible gold foil. To do this, just make a small batch of simple syrup and use it as adhesive to apply the gold foil. Dip a brush in the simple syrup and then lightly press the gold on the petals. The gold will lightly adhere to the flowers and create the prettiest garnish for your rosé!

Add these blooms to the champagne coupes and just pour your rosé on top! For the display of your glassware, pick up marbled paper from the store and line your drink trays for a nice touch.

“Pick A Posy”

After your guests have a drink in hand, give them an activity to get the party started. Purchase blooms or hire a florist like Holly Chapple to select flowers in different varieties to create a “pick a posy” bar.

It’s great to use various sizes of vases to create dimension and depth for the display. Your friends can choose their favorite flowers and then wrap the flower bunch in kraft paper. Another option for the paper is to use the the same marbled paper used for the drink trays.

To add a personalized touch, allow your guests the option to choose their own ribbon. Buy different types of ribbon and trim in varying colors and widths. I found beautiful varieties of lace, dupioni silk ribbon, velvet ribbon and more on MJ Trim and Midori. (Each ribbon was cut to approximately one yard)

The Favors

Brunch with girlfriends is always the best, which is why I immediately knew a brunch-inspired gift box would be the perfect design direction for this modern, girls-only gathering. You can’t go wrong with decadent pain au chocolat pastries wrapped up in tulle, coffee beans, and a precious box of mini doughnuts.

Marigold & Grey designed and finished the gifts with several Laura Hooper calligraphy pieces (i.e. “love is sweet” and “good morning”) along with an adorable British tea spoon as the final finishing touch. Why not treat yourself to breakfast in bed?

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Creating Gifts for your Significant Others

Another fun activity for your guests is to create a special memento to take home to their loved ones. Purchase frames and have your guests write a message on the matte. For this, we had Laura Hooper calligraph couples name’s on the matte. The guests were so excited to take them home! (Tip: Purchase extra mattes just incase someone makes a mistake and needs an extra)

Photography: Abby Jiu Photography | Flowers: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD | Catering: Heirloom Catering & Event Design | Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Desserts: Buttercream Bakeshop | Gift Boxes: Marigold & Grey | Photography - Assistance: Abby Jiu Photography

What began as a chance meeting through their careers in investment banking, turned into a love story with a perfect ending. An incredible destination wedding on Lake Como, to be specific. Planned in only three months, Italian Easy Wedding helped these two pull off a celebration their guests would never forget and Darya Kamalova photographed each and every bit. See it all inside The Vault!

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From The Bride… We met each other working together in investment banking and our relationship began developing rapidly after few meetings. I remember that my first thoughts was like “no no no, no relationships with colleagues.” But sometimes rules are meant to be broken.

After being together for 2 years we’ve planned our regular trip, but that time my husband suddenly invited my Mom to join us. Later I found that my Mom was the carrier of my engagement ring. I remember that evening when we came to beautiful restaurant when you are sitting inside a beautiful aquarium watching the fish swimming around and I asked him “why he doesn’t want to take off his jacket?” It was quite warm inside the restaurant. Then everything became very clear.

He had quite big engagement box with the ring inside, so he couldn’t keep it in his trousers. After the moment he proposed I was so impressed with the engagement box design that I forgot to check out the ring. The engagement ring was handmade with the picture of a chipmunk – this is a special symbol of our family from the first months we are together. At the beginning it was his joke calling me “chipmunk” but we’ve both got so used to this “nickname” that we now collect chipmunk or squirrel trinkets from every trip.

Both of us were sure that we’d have our wedding somewhere far away from home. We wanted all our guests feel special. It took us long time to find that perfect place and perfect wedding planner. We weren’t in hurry looking for the right place, but when we found Villa Regina Teodolinda we knew that we’d celebrate our wedding nowhere else!

Thank you to our wedding planner, because she helped us plan everything in 3 months total, and it turned out wonderful. The location was just perfect with a beautiful villa, amazing food, plus lake and mountain views. The one thing we regret is that it all passed too, too fast!

Photography: Thecablookfotolab | Event Planning: Happy Moments Collector | Floral Design: rattiflora | Wedding Dress: Svetlana Trebunskaya | Stationery: Letter B | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Rings: Tiffany & Co. | Hair + Makeup: Lidija Malinovskaja | Groom's Attire: Sartorio Napoli By Kiton | Venue: Villa Regina Teodolinda | Groom's Shoes: Fabi

If there’s a way to make winter welcoming, stylist AOK Styling, who’s also our Bride-to-be, knows the secrets. Wrapped up in a chic, cozy coat, with her man by her side, she’s radiating pre-wedding warmth in all these sweet pics by Ashley Caroline. Turn up the heat with our VAULT right this way!

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From the Bride-to-be… When Raven and I got engaged, we knew we wanted to do our engagement photos in the snow. We love the winter, and wanted to memorialize the beautiful snowy CT countryside with our photos.

I’m a stylist, so part of what I do for a living is curate outfits for couples’ engagement shoots. When it came to my own, I have to admit I was a little stumped. I envisioned a gorgeous dress, a beautiful blanket wrapped around us… but nothing felt right. When I came across a beautiful forest green coat from ASOS, however, I knew I was on the right track.

The day of our shoot was a chilling 17 degrees – one of the coldest of the year. I threw on a comfy plaid dress and Raven and I donned our snow boots, planning to change when we arrived at the shoot location. The snow was 2 feet deep in the field where we had planned to shoot, so we left on our boots and, laughing, climbed through the deep snow.

We have a wonderful relationship with our photographer, Ashley Caroline, and she kept us in a warm frame of mind as she captured the sun setting around us. My favorite part of the shoot was just as the sun was falling behind the horizon, we carefully climbed to the tree line where we shared a flask of whiskey.

Every time I look back at these photos, I don’t remember my frozen fingers, but rather am transported to a cozy memory of hugs with my favorite person in our favorite place in the world.

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More engagement inspiration here!

Photography: Ashley Caroline Photography | Styling: AOK Style + Planning | Floral Design: Jakkelyn Iris Designs | Coat: ASOS

It’s almost Valentine’s Day! In the spirit of love, we’re going to be bringing you 14 days of goodies and treats to make your Valentine’s Day infinitely better. And we’re kicking things off in a big way—with a Printable Wedding Invitation Suite including the invitation, RSVP card & accommodations/details card from Inviting Design Studio and a $100 Etsy Gift Card for all your wedding paper needs. Enter for your chance to win below!

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To enter, simply enter your email into the widget above. The Sweepstakes ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on February 1, 2016. Open to legal residents of 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older. Limit one (1) entry per person per day. One (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing the following day and will receive a Printable Wedding Invitation Suite and Etsy Gift Card valued at $149.95. By entering, you confirm you have read and agree to the Official Rules.

I get that Cinderella was in a hurry when the clock struck midnight—the magic was about to wear off and she didn’t have time to go back and get the glass slipper. But, if that had been me, you better believe that I’d go back for that shoe. After all, a fabulous pair of shoes is an essential part of Happily Ever After (and your bridal look)! So, get a head start on your fairytale day with these beauties below!

Fairytale Wedding Shoes

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Fairytale Wedding Shoes

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More Style Inspiration for Your Big Day

Bold Bridal Accessories | Disney Princess-Inspired Wedding Dresses | Beautiful Bridal Hairstyles

As much as I love my beauty luxuries (hello, $60 face cream and $50 bronzer!), I can easily say that some of my most-loved products come from the shelves of my local drugstore. There are some true gems on those shelves my friends! And since we kind of love all things beauty around these parts, we couldn’t help but share our faves. Do you have any drugstore beauty addictions? Do tell!

Elizabeth

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – I’m obsessed with this moisturizer! I find that when I wear face lotions that are thicker, my skin becomes bumping and irritated. With this water based gel, my skin is refreshed, smooth and feels amazing all day long! I love applying this day and night!

Oral-B Comfort Floss – As the daughter of a dentist, it’s not too far fetched to say I’m religious about flossing my teeth. And this one right here is soft and minty, making the nightly chore not that terrible at all.

Dove Body Wash – I grew up using Dove and to this day, I find the scent comforting and cleansing – and my skin always feels fab. Out of both tradition and love for the brand, I’ll be using Dove for years to come.

Erin

Essie Nail Polish – a little obsessed is an understatement. I don’t think I’ve ever left the drugstore without adding to my Essie collection

L’oréal Elnett Hairspray – My sister is a hair stylist so my bathroom cabinet is overflowing with great hair products but the one hairspray she swears by is Elnett. And she was right! It’s the only one I use

Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo – I always have this on hand for the twins but I also steal it to use for cleaning all my makeup brushes. It’s super gentle, smells great and costs pennies compared to most brush cleaners.

Melissa

Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara – My go-to daily mascara! I still prefer the brush over any expensive brand I’ve tried. To amp it up at night I sort of use this as a primer and layer over one of my fancier brands.

Bain de Soleil – I have naturally olive skin, so (thankfully) I rarely burn in the sun. However, my legs always tan last or barely at all. I use this stuff on my legs when I’m catching rays in the summertime to get that extra glow.

Biore Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips – Blackheads be gone! I don’t really get overly noticeable blackheads, but I do get oily around my nose area. I use these babies once a week to unclog those pores.

Stephanie

Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo – When you’re a new mom and time is scarce dry shampoo is a lifesaver. And a dry shampoo that works super fast without all the residue? Even better.

Big, Sexy Hair Volumizing Hairspray – When I go to the work of pulling out my curling iron, I want to know my style is going to stay in place all day. This hairspray does the trick, and even helps add a little volume.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick – I’m a little black dress and red lips kind of girl, and this lipstick in shade “Cherry Blossom” is my secret weapon. Swipe it on, add some gloss for shine, and it’s instant chic.

Michelle

Revlon Colorburst balm/stain (in smitten) – For a daytime look I love a good lip stain and this one from Revlon always wins a few compliments. It’s the perfect pink yet sheer enough for daytime and provides a layer of moisture.

Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner – I blame Adele for my cat eye obsession and after years of hunting down the perfect liquid eyeliner I’ve finally found it. The felt tip helps with perfect application and once dried the liner stays out for the entire day.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream – Sure it’s expensive when compared to your average lotion, but this drugstore buy is literally the best lotion out there. Trust me, my Irish white skin has tested it’s fair share of expensive creams and they all pale in comparison to this jar full of magic!

Gabrielle

Revlon Balm Stain – I feel naked without a little color on my lips, but I don’t always want to go for a super pigmented pop of bright coral or tomato red. The Revlon Balm Stain is the perfect about of color to give my lips that just-kissed color and liven up my face on the mornings I need it most.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – I’m a bit of a beauty junkie, and one thing I can always justify spending money on? Quality skincare. Thankfully I don’t have to with Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser. No matter how many luxury face washes I test out, Cetaphil’s gentle and moisturizing cleanser keeps me coming back.

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10 Items Every Woman Needs in Her Makeup Bag

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10 Items Every Woman Needs in Her Makeup Bag

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Can I just say – after 12 years of marriage, 3 kids and life’s ups and downs thrown their way, these two still got it. I’m talking about that madly-in-love glow you only get when you’re with the one who makes your heart full. They planned an anniversary session in New York City with one beautiful Nha Khanh tulle gown to celebrate the love, and Julie Paisley came along to capture. Read their amazing love story and go peek through every image inside THE VAULT!

It’s probably not common to actually end up with the boy whose name you wrote on your high school notebooks, but I did. Michael and I dated through high school and college, and six years later we got married. Michael proposed to me in November in the middle of an empty field with candles and flowers, but, the best detail of all was a propane heater. That’s one of many things I love about this man, his biggest concern was always taking care of me, but now after twelve years of marriage and eighteen years together, it’s taking care of me and our three children. 

Michael was in an accident a few years ago, and after a stint in ICU and a couple of surgeries, perspectives changed for both of us. We both realized that this person that we had by our side for so long could someday not be there. We started to travel more, and do more of the things that we didn’t make time to do.

We traveled to NYC so that we could have a vacation to date each other. We had not planned on this shoot with Julie Paisley. In fact, part of the trip was for me to attend her photography workshop because I’m a photographer. At the time it seemed like a strange turn of events, that we became the subjects of her photography, but now I know it was because there was something so much better waiting for us. As soon as we found out that Julie would be photographing us, I enlisted stylist Krissi Farrimond to style us, and she arranged for Kiara Hargrove to do my hair and make-up.

So, here we were in New York City, one of my favorite places, and I am literally about to live out a fairy tale after twelve years of marriage with this gorgeous man. A few kinks came in the timeline, and we were in a mad dash to get to Central Park for the shoot. We sprinted through Central Park, dressed as if we just fell right out of a Disney princess movie where the prince wears J.Crew and the fairy godmother is a talented stylist. I tiptoed through falling leaves in Central Park while my husband, dressed ever so handsomely, held my hand. We had just experienced one of my favorite memories of us together.

Our wedding, the three amazing births of our children, there are so many special memories, and that night we created a new memory for just the two of us that we could share with our children. After the shoot we went to dinner at one of our favorite NYC restaurants. I will never forget the feeling of that night. Even after we got home from New York City, I still couldn’t believe it happened!

There’s just no way to write a love story that you’ve lived because words could never adequately describe the heart break of him being hurt and the joy of him being okay. I could just never even tell you what is invested in the years we have together. If I started from the beginning, eighteen years ago when we started dating, I couldn’t bring your heart to feel what we do now. I can’t paint that picture with words, but man I feel like Julie captured it with film.

And now our children and grandchildren can have these images to remember our love story! My advice to brides and grooms, is don’t overlook this. After the wedding is long over, still get dressed up with your spouse, hire a fantastic photographer, document this time in your life, and go to dinner. Date each other, because daily life isn’t a fairy tale, it’s kids and work and everything else begging for your attention. You have to make time to have a fairy tale. You have to put effort into a fairy tale. I dreamed about marrying him back when I was writing his name on my notebooks, but there was something so much better waiting for me. It’s so worth the effort!

Photography: Julie Paisley Photography | Event Design: Krissi Farrimond | Dress: Rent The Runway | Hair + Makeup: Individualized Beauty | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Venue: Central Park

This flower girl’s face is the exact opposite of mine when I first saw this wedding. Because this Texas day from Loft Photography and Something Blue Cinema is full of beauty and a style we’re calling Southwestern elegance. With a fresh yet sophisticated color palette and gorgeous bougainvillea everywhere the eye can see, it’s safe to say we’re in love. And thanks to incredible vendors like Pearl Events Austin, Marquee Event Group, and Jenny Yoo, each and every detail is perfect. See all the pretty in THE VAULT!

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From Loft Photography…Being that Brittany is a talented artist, we knew her wedding day was going to have well thought out & lovely details! We adore the rich colors that she chose for her wedding, and the bougainvillea around every corner at Escondido fit right in with her unique bouquets and centerpieces.

From The Bride…My wedding day encompassed Mediterranean architecture with Tuscan landscaping meets romantic Texas Hill Country! The wedding had contrast and pops of colors with a primary color palette of fuchsia and teal mixed with secondary colors of grey, mauve and taupe with a side contrast of black and white tuxedos and a checkered black and white dance floor. There were many different textures to play off of for the tablescapes: deer antlers with gold hombre spray paint, grapewood branches, textured teak wood tables, copper chargers, romantic candlelights, mix of glassware with mercury candle votives and teal olive oil vases, airplants and succulents native to Texas. Family heirlooms also played a part in our wedding with my parents 70’s champagne goblets and ring bearer pillow, my grandmother’s jewelry and my mom’s tennis bracelet.

Photography: Loft Photography LLC | Cinematography: Something Blue Cinema | Event Planning: Pearl Events Austin | Floral Design: Sweet Magnolia Floral Studio | Wedding Dress: De Ma Fille Bridal | Stationery: BK Paintings And Design | Rings: Cook Diamonds Dallas TX | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair + Makeup: Erica Gray | Calligraphy: Willow Wynn Co. | Lighting: Ilios | Band: David Whiteman Band | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Groomsmen Attire: Vera Wang | Venue: Escondido | Beverage Services: Peticolas Brewing Company | Bridal Boutique: De Ma Fille Bridal | Cigar Roller: Bobalu | Cocktail Napkins + Match Boxes: For Your Party | Desserts: Cake and Spoon | Earrings: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Letterpress Printing: Elefant Press | Photo Booth: Funpix Photobooth | Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals | Rentals: Monarch Event Rentals

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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It’s that time of year again! Love, in the form of cupid’s tiny magical arrows, is in the air, making it the perfect excuse to show your man how much you care. If you’ve already gone the chocolate (and/or lingerie) route, you might be asking, where to begin? Plus, let’s be honest, no one really wants to spend more after a look at those holiday bills… Luckily, we’ve rounded up the best goodies under $50 that your man will love (almost) as much as he loves you!

Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Man-Candy

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Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Man-Candy

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Now That You’ve Got His Gift…

The Perfect Valentine’s Goodies For You!

50 Valentine’s Day Gifts Under $50 You’ll Want For Yourself

Valentine’s Day Dresses That’ll Make His Heart Skip A Beat

Treat Yourself to the Yummiest Valentine’s Day Sweets

More To Love:

Valentine’s Date Ideas For The Low-Key Couple

15 Valentine’s Day Gifts You’ve Never Thought Of

How To Host A Valentine’s Day Party

One glance at the gowns on the Haute Couture runways in Paris, and you’ll believe in magic. With thousands of beads sewn on by hand, the most luxurious fabrics money can buy, and designs worthy of a place in the Louvre, Haute Couture gowns are as enchanting coming down the aisle as they are coming down the runway. So tell us, which of these looks would you want to steal for yourself?

Couture Wedding Dresses

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Couture Wedding Dresses

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More Breathtaking Wedding Dresses

Beautiful Beaded Wedding Dresses | Fashion-Forward Wedding Dresses | Elegant & Timeless Gowns

My seasonal cocktail favorites are ever changing. Winter usually means snuggling on the couch with a great red wine in hand but I’m thinking that’s about to change. This Spiced Orange + Rosemary Bourbon from Waiting on Martha is calling my name and probably yours too! Just imagine this spicy sip paired with a Monday night Bachelor viewing. Oh yeah, that’s totally happening.

From Waiting on Martha… Vibrant and full-bodied, this Spiced Orange Bourbon Cocktail packs the punch I’ve come to appreciate and the combination of citrus spiced orange and rosemary has quickly become one of my favorite, yet simple, flavor infusions. This time of year it’s like comfort in a glass!

To serve, I simply pour over round ice molds, add a dash of my spiced orange syrup, a fresh orange peel, a rosemary sprig and cheers! It’s a dangerously easy drink to down (don’t say I didn’t warn you). But for the record, I think it’s completely reasonable to request that you make yours a double!

Erin LepperdSpiced Orange and Rosemary Bourbon

prep time 5 Minute/s

cook time

total time 5 Minute/s

Serves 0Ingredients

• 1 1/2-2 oz. Bourbon of choice
• 1/2 oz. fresh orange juice
• About 2 dashes of spiced orange syrup (this will sweeten it a tad, so feel free to use as much as you want)
• Fresh orange peel to garnish
• Fresh rosemary to garnish

Instructions

1. Add all of the ingredients together, and stir slightly to combine.
2. Garnish with rosemary and orange peel.

Photography: Rustic White Photography | Recipe And Styling: Waiting On Martha | Vendor: Waiting On Martha

As I sit perusing these images from Jose Villa, winter is wrapping its oh so lovely (and chilly) arms around me. But these image are giving me hope for the sun-kissed lazy days ahead, strolling hand-in-hand with the one you love. Photos are meant to bring back memories and to inspire and these right here are doing just the trick. Get in on all these good vibes in our VAULT this way.

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Photography: Jose Villa Photography

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Photography

Jose Villa Photography

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Oh these travel features never fail to leave me on a bottomless search for flights and hotel reservations. It’s a problem. And after pouring over all these stunning images of Cinque Terre (a place that has been on my bucket list forever) from Christine Doneé, I basically know what my Saturday will look like – spending more time than I should admit right here.

From Christine Doneé…When planning our wedding in Tuscany, we decided to not only honeymoon in Italy, but to also road trip throughout the country for several weeks. Cinque Terre became one of our last stops in the country, and it completely took our breath away.

Driving to the villages of Cinque Terre meant going through some pretty rugged terrain first. Winding roads and thick trees lead the way to the coast, until miraculously you stumble right onto a colorful town by the sea.

With its’ pastel colors, quiet nature and friendly locals it’s easy to see why this is considered to be one of the best destinations in all of Italy.

Comprised of 5 villages, each unique in and of itself, Cinque Terre offered us a a chance to really get to know our environment.

The greatest joy in traveling is learning the character and nuances of the place you are in: the colors, the attitude, the people; together, they come together to create a tone. And it was a perfect match for the two of us.

We sun-bathed underneath colorful umbrellas and chatted with locals as they went about their daily business.

We drank prosecco in the evenings while enjoying the echoed sounds of live music through the streets.

We took trains to and from each village and watched the sky come alive with color at sundown. And we savored every minute as if it were a dream.

With so much charm and beauty, Cinque Terre is a must for any vacationer.

Photography: Christine Donee Photography

This bouquet had me at Hellebores. For when it comes to wedding day perfection, Mindy Rice knows the exact recipe for a standout celebration. Proving this theory is a dreamy peach bouquet that has managed to steal our wedding loving hearts time and time again. Packing a powerful amount of pretty into one lil’ handful of heaven, we’ve got the entire bouquet breakdown below!

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Al Fresco Wedding in Santa Ynez

• 6 stems of Hellebores
• 7 stems of Gardenias with buds
• 10 stems of Gardenia Foliage
• 12 stems white Tweedia
• 5 stems Green Privet Berries
• 10 stems of white Nerine Lilies
• 12 Heritage Roses
• 8 Fair Bianca Roses
• 10 Classic Woman Roses
• 12 White Ranunculus

From Mindy Rice… Sierra and Chase had a pretty clear vision of what they wanted their wedding to not only LOOK like, yet more importantly, what they wanted it to FEEL like. Luxurious flowers in blush, apricot and sage tones were high on their list, along with the playful addition of fresh peaches and a stunning, taupe Alencon lace.

When it came to designing her bouquet, I wanted to keep it rather traditional in shape yet with a soft romantic drape. Sierra’s beautiful Ines Di Santo, Lace gown also had a very timeless silhouette, allowing me to use textures and flower in a variety of bloom stages without giving you that overly detailed feeling.

Santa Ynez has a light afternoon breeze that, like clock work, sweeps through the valley right when the bride walks down the aisle! Yards and Yards of bias, silk ribbon drifted beautifully around her she emerged from the stone villa, an image that most definitely left a mark on her friends,family and most importantly… her husband.

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Floral Design: Mindy Rice | Photography: Jose Villa
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Press Play For More Floral Inspo!

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Photography

Jose Villa Photography

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I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of the donut trend. How could you get tired of donuts, really? It’s no secret we’re obsessed (see?). Especially when they’re cute-as-a-button and ‘strawberry champagne glazed’ like the recipe we’ve got for you today via Boxwood Avenue. Go ahead, have a donut moment first and then grab the full recipe by Quirks + Twists below!

25 Reasons Donuts Are The New Cupcake

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25 Reasons Donuts Are The New Cupcake

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Melissa BaranChocolate Doughnuts with Strawberry Champagne Glaze

prep time

cook time

total time

Serves 0Ingredients

• 2 cups bread flour
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup strong brewed black coffee, cooled
• 2 eggs
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup melted semisweet chocolate chips, cooled

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
3. Whisk together buttermilk, coffee, eggs, butter, vinegar, and vanilla into another mixing bowl.
4. Pour the flour mixture into the wet mixture and stir until fully mixed. Fold in the melted chocolate until just combined.
5. Grease a baked doughnut pan and spoon batter into a gallon sized re-closeable bag. Snip a corner with scissors and pipe batter into the doughnut molds, filling 3/4 of the way.
6. Bake the doughnuts for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of a doughnut.
7. Cool slightly (about 5 minutes) then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Top with glaze and sprinkles.

Recipe: Quirks + Twists | Source: Chloe Mackintosh At Boxwood Avenue

Every single bride wants her wedding to be unique, to really represent her and her hubby to a tee. But with all the ideas and inspiration out there, how do you capture “you”? That’s when Edna Dratch-Parker, the “Wedding Brander™” of EFD Creative – Event Planning & Design comes in to save the day. She guides couples through the journey of branding their wedding, pulling in different layers of details to tell the whole story of who they are as a couple. So let’s learn how to put your own personal stamp on your special day with her tips below!

1. Start the Conversation:

Create a list of each of your visions for the wedding, including your top likes and dislikes. I always like to ask my couples – how do you want to express yourself, what experience do you want to give your friends and family? It sounds simple, but creating a list of your individual visions is critical to successful branding, because then you have a place to start from and find common ground. This is the foundation. Once you nail this, design decisions become a lot easier.

2. Create a Logo:

Logos are the perfect place to start because the way they look can be very telling about how you feel as a couple. It’s often one of the first designs we work on when branding a wedding, because it solidifies how a couple wants to identify together. The design represents a mood, from being very modern and cutting edge to traditional – and is a great way to quickly evoke a feeling or send a message. They also become your family crest, something you can use throughout your life as a symbol of your union. Logos are great to pepper throughout the entire wedding journey from Save-the-Dates to invitations to thank-you notes and more. You can add them to favors, the cake and signature drinks signs. It’s a fun way to set the tone and creates continuity.

3. Create a Pinterest Page:

More often than not, couples have many competing and often abstract ideas for their wedding. Creating a Pinterest page is a great way to distill those ideas down in a visual and tangible way. Pin what you like, but also pin what you don’t like. Once you can see the different design elements – flowers, cake, linens, etc. – a collage of your vision emerges. Then it becomes much easier to talk with your partner and collaborate on ideas that can help create your story. Do all these design elements speak to a whimsical feel? Fun and carefree? Or are you your leaning toward a more modern look? Sometimes it’s not always clear until you see it visually on a Pinterest board.

4. It’s all About the Details:

Branding doesn’t have to be about making a big splash (unless that’s what you want!). What’s most important is to remember it’s about layering your “branding” throughout every aspect of the wedding. From the colors to the choice in linens to the centerpieces – even the how the menus are presented. Sometimes the most subtle touches speak the loudest. Everything together creates the impact.

5. Remember Your Message:

The whole goal is to think about what you want to express. This is your platform to share with the world not only who you are, but what is important to you as a couple. If your focus as a couple is on family and tradition, then it’s critical to remember that’s the story you’re telling – and to express that in the designs, presentations, activities and customs that encompass the wedding process. This is really important, so don’t lose sight. It’s easy to say, “oh, I love that “thing’” – but you have ask yourself, is that really a part of your story, what you want to share? Because if not, then save that for another occasion and stay focused. You won’t regret it!

Brainstorm branding ideas with these monograms!

Mad About Monograms

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Mad About Monograms

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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Sonoma Wedding Sweepstakes
Allure Bridals 2016 Ultimate Sweepstakes
Zola
Minted
Monique Lhuillier Sweepstakes from the Registry at Bloomingdale’s

THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…

For our California Brides… Discount from The Ranch at Laguna Beach and giveaway from Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, North San Diego!

For our Tri-state Brides… Discounts from Femina Photo + Design and Ieie Bridal Dress Boutique!

For our Destination Brides… Discount from Hitch’d Weddings & Events

For our Southeast Brides… Discount from Cassidy Carson Photography

For our Midwest Brides… Giveaway from Life in Bloom

OUR WINNERS:

Congratulations to our Magnolia Wedding giveaway winner Hayley!

Wedding Branding Advice: EFD Creative - Event Planning & Design

Winter is coming here, as every East Coaster stuck digging out her car this past weekend knows. But if the recent onset of flurries caught you a little off-guard, we’ve pulled together our favorite chic, cozy and all-around stylish accessories to help you weather any storm. With goodies like these, we have a feeling you’ll be wearing your PJs inside out and praying for snowflakes every night!

Chic Cold Weather Accessories

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Chic Cold Weather Accessories

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Brrrr… More Snow Day Essentials This Way!

Hot Cocoa Recipes To Keep You Warm All Winter Long

Essentials For A Perfect Night In

11 Winter Beauty Life Savers

Some weeks are harder than others, and let’s just admit that winter’s blues are starting to hit home. The light at the end of the long week tunnel? Bursts of beauty from some of our lovely Little Black Book members that shared their talents with us this past week. From sweet scripts to young love, these are the pretty pockets of pics that make SMP the place it is – see all these moments and more below!

Must-See LBB Moments

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Must-See LBB Moments

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Start planning your wedding with The Little Black Book!

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Featured Members: Calligraphy: Bella Grafia Calligraphy | Event Planning: Keely Thorne Events | Floral Design: Bows And Arrows | Celebrant: Celebrant In Paris | Event Planning: The Tuscan Wedding | Floral Design: Tuscany Flowers | Catering: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering | Event Planning + Design: L’Relyea Events| Compass (Mr & Mrs) + Signage:Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Photography: Kibogo Photography

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Florals

Bows and Arrows

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Event Planning

The Tuscan Wedding

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We love to share weddings of all shapes, styles and sizes, so this bohemian affair is a perfect change of pace. From the handmade macramé ceremony backdrop to the couple stealing kisses in a field of Queen Anne’s Lace, there’s so many reasons to adore this lovefest. Simply sit back and scroll through The Vault images from Jessica Rose Photography.

From The Bride… Our engagement was short. We just didn’t want to have to wait! We didn’t want big, we wanted to be surrounded by people we loved, to eat well, dance hard and raise a couple glasses. So we put four months on the clock and we were off.

The planning was a easy-breezy and things (more often than not) kind of just… fell into place. Being in the wedding “biz” myself, I’ve seen days like these come together in a month, so I knew we’d be fine. So much so that when I got word our intended photographer had suffered a broken ankle only days from our nuptials, I trusted and the universe pulled through. Enter Jessica; a woman so talented it oozes out her ears, so kind that it’s reflected in everything she does. She worked her magic and the images she so lovingly made are our very best memories frozen that we will treasure forever.

But I must back up…!

I bought my dress, Myles bought a non-suit and his favourite new shoes. My Mom made jam and Dad Deck built a bar. Cake flavours were decided and monogramed pins were pressed. Florals were gushed over and we secured Toronto’s finest for our taco bar. We compiled 7 hours of our favourite tunes and bought a crazy amount of chips for our late-night snack. Beer store research, wine tastings, sangria recipes, videographer wins, fireworks tutorials, hair and makeup practice.

Our close friend worked her magic with the design of our day and brought our vision to life. (Secret) vows were written, macramé was tied, engagement shots taken and wedding bands procured. All the while, we never lost sight of the reason for all these things, all these plans. In those four months we laughed together, we danced together and we loved each other deeper than ever.

And then all of a sudden, it was time. Time for curls and mascara. Time for the dress and a crown of blooms. I watched from the window as Jessica placed Myles in a field of queen anne’s lace and then with weak knees, I was out the door and making my way towards my husband-to-be.

“Are you there?” he asked.
“I’m here,” I said, my voice shaking.

He turned and it was magic: tears streaming down our faces, “I love yous” and kisses by the dozen, a deep understanding that this was it. From here, the day started to slip into fast forward, only slowing down for a few short moments.

To say that our day was all we could have hoped for would be an understatement. it was so much more. We professed our love and made our promises in the presence of people that mean the world to us and to us, that was the most important part. What was fun was being able to do it in an environment where we felt at home, one we knew our guests would love. We put so much of ourselves into the smallest details and it was so worth it. How incredibly special to have a day that’s 100% about the love you share with your soulmate!

Best. Day. Ever.

Photography: Jessica Rose Photography | Cinematography: Matt Wiebe | Floral Design: Blush And Bloom | Wedding Dress: Rue De Seine | Cake: Bunners | Rings: In God We Trust | Catering: Smoke Signals Barbecue | Hair + Makeup: Allure Hair and Makeup | Band: Ourselves | Favors: Ourselves | Groom's Attire: Topman | Officiant: All Seasons Country Chapel | Venue: Carley Community Hall | Bridal Boutique: Loversland | Dried Flower Confetti Poppers: We Create Hoopla | Fireworks + Smoke Bombs: Rocket | Guest Book: Kimon Kaketsis | Invitations + Graphic Design: Rachelle Letain | Macrame Backdrop: Ourselves | Rentals: Complete Rentals | Veil: Posh Veils

If you’ve ever wondered what ‘romantic fall whimsy’ looks like, this twinkling day is it my loves. Jana Williams has filled THE VAULT with glowing imagery for your pinning pleasure. And that stunning Vera Wang number you see there? The Bride sewed a piece of her grandmother’s dress into the heart of it. Melt-worthy. See more here!

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From Jana Williams Photography…Lindsay and Adam were married at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. Lindsay loves Fall and really wanted to bring that wonderfully romantic and whimsical feel of the season to her and Adam’s special day. She transformed the space with warm hues, autumn leaves and woodsy textures. It was perfect.

In planning her big day, it was very important to honor the memory of her grandmother who she was very close to. She sewed into the heart of her stunning Vera Wang gown, a piece of her grandmother’s wedding dress and used another piece of fabric as the cover of her sign-in book. She also accented her bouquet with the colorful floral fabric so that she was carrying her both in her heart and in her hands as she descended the aisle to join and wed her love.

Photography: Jana Williams Photography | Cinematography: Envision Productions | Event Planning: Merren Events | Wedding Planner: Samantha Scott Events | Floral Design: Brad Austin Imaginative Florals | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Lighting: The Lighter Side | Venue: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis | Bridal Alterations: A Stitch In Time | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rentals