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Behind the Blog: La La Lovely

I’m convinced that Trina of La La Lovely is magical. I mean, it’s the only answer! To run one of the best design blogs around, freelance as a writer, art director and beyond, all while raising a brood of children is no easy feat. But this girl does it with style, class and so. much. grace. With photos from Yazy Jo, we’re going behind the blog, and it’s really really good. 

SMP: Tell us a little about La La lovely!
La La Lovely is really my place to share my favorite finds and work out my words. I have a habit of looking for the lovely. Some days I find it in perfectly styled spaces, and other days i find it in the broken places. But simply put, La La Lovely is a lifestyle blog that offers inspiration in the areas of decor, design, style, littles and life.

SMP: What made you decide to start a blog?
I started blogging 6 years ago and I wasn’t even exactly sure what a blog was at that time (aside from my Xanga). I had been thumbing through Domino Magazine and read about a design blog called Absolutely Beautiful Things. I hopped online and was so inspired and excited about what I had stumbled upon. I knew I wanted to start one for myself. It seemed like the perfect place for me to write (which I love most about blogging) and a great way to share things that inspire me. Friends were always asking me where I got this or that or what I would suggest for gifts, etc. Also, it was a great way to digitally keep a file of all of my favorite decorating ideas and anything that was visually inspiring. Today, I blog for the same reason, I started, because I love to write and share inspiration and ideas.

SMP: What’s one thing you’ve learnt along the way?
Trust your gut. I’ve learned that just because an opportunity is there doesn’t always mean you should take it, even it appears to be a good one. When you’re a blogger you are a little bit of everything (especially in the early days), a designer, a photographer, a stylist, a writer, an salesperson, a business owner to name a few. As you get going you’ll find your voice, your style and your message. Once you find that, let it be a filter and guide as to what opportunities best align with you.

SMP: If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?
I don’t know that I would do that much differently It’s been a pretty organic process for me. I suppose I probably would have reached out and went after a few opportunities sooner. And, I would try to find a blogging schedule, earlier on, that didn’t require staying up until the wee hours of the morning. It catches up with you, eventually.

SMP: One piece of advice you’d give to a blogger just starting out?
My greatest advice is simple…..be yourself. Write about what you love and be true to your own voice. Don’t be concerned about what others are doing. Be concerned about what moves you. There are some basic principles that will work for everyone, like being consistent on how often you post and creating a consistent aesthetic, but I’ve found that if you are consistent with being yourself first, your style will develop and you will have created a brand naturally and authentically.

SMP: What was the tipping point in your business that made you feel your blog was going to thrive?
A few years ago, after I had re-designed my daughter’s room, The Land of Nod reached out to me to collaborate for an upcoming catalog. Three rooms in my home were featured as well as two rooms in a New York City apartment that I designed. It was so fun and extremely inspiring working with such a great brand and such fun and amazingly talented people. After that project I felt more confident and comfortable in my abilities to design spaces and to take on bigger projects and collaborations.

SMP: What color do you think will stand the test of time?
I’d have to say white. You just can’t go wrong with crisp white walls. And, pink. Some shade of pink always seems to be in style. Pink can be sweet, modern, neutral or punk rock.

SMP: One thing you simply can’t live with out?
My family. And, coffee. During this season of life, coffee seems like a means of survival.

SMP: Three things every stylish homeowner should have?
1- A favorite chair.
2- A breathtaking light fixture that makes you always look up (whether glamorous or modern).
3- Comfy Bedding.

SMP: Your favourite online design resource?
Pinterest. What can I say, It always seems to be where I start (online). I love getting lost on different rabbit trails that take me, somehow, to exactly where I need to be.

 

Photography: yazy jo | Design: Lala Lovely Things | Beauty: Design Within Reach | Decor: Ikea | Decor: Z Gallerie | Vendor: Benjamin Moore's Robbins Egg, High Gloss | Vendor: RugsUsa | Vendor: Lulu & Georgia | Vendor: High Fashion Home | Vendor: Sherwin Williams "Nomadic Desert" | Vendor: Land Of Nod | Vendor: Pottery Barn Kids

Jacquelyn Clark

Blush & Gold Orchard Wedding

Blush + gold is the color palette of the moment, but it’s not without good reason. One part sweet and another part sophisticated, it strikes the perfect balance of girly gone glam and this Midwest beauty planned by Michelle Durpetti Events is yet another reason to love. Shot through the lens of Jen Lynne the gallery is busting with goodies and we’d be lying if we said we didn’t shed a few happy tears during the film from Brittania Drew!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/77748942 600 338]

From the Bride… While Alex and I consider ourselves Chicago city-dwellers, we always knew we wanted a wedding that was God-honoring and tucked away in a beautiful setting that would be filled with lots of sweet, quiet moments.

After being engaged for less than 72 hours, we booked the Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms. The venue was everything we could have ever dreamed of. Located in Rockton, IL, it was the perfect back drop to our vision of our wedding day – rustic, serene, and tucked away in the country of northern Illinois. Our families stayed at the gorgeous Copperstone Inn, a bed-and-breakfast adjacent to the Pavilion. We were married on a hill underneath two oak trees on what turned out to be a gorgeous, cool fall day in September.

Our blush and gold décor theme was the perfect complement to the rustic but elegant structure of the Pavilion. We worked with Anna of Beautiful Day Linens to choose the perfect blush lamour to add warmth to the open space. We used La Tavola’s copper sparkly linen for our escort card table. Faith, of The Floral Company, worked with us to create beautiful arrangements that fulfilled both of our desires for blush-family florals with a rustic touch. Faith hand painted each of the gold planter boxes for our centerpieces! Kathy of Sugar Jones bakery created the most delicious blush-frosting cupcakes that guests continue to rave about. Our favors were warm cinnamon-sugar cider donuts and half pints of apple cider from Edwards Orchard nearby.

When we met with Paul of Abreo restaurant in Rockford, we discussed our vision for a very rustic and seasonal, farm-to-table culinary experience. We could not have chosen a better caterer to partner with! Paul knocked it out of the park with a menu consisting of beef short ribs and roasted chicken paired with roasted root vegetables and fresh herb parmesan polenta. Our guests said it was “the best wedding food” they’ve ever had!

Other details from our wedding day included DIY projects we tackled throughout the months leading up to our wedding – Craigslist hunting for a large window for the fireplace mantle, a Polaroid photo booth, and designing our gold-foil and blush invitation suite.

Our wedding would not have been what it was without the amazing support of our families and friends, and the creative direction of our vendors especially our wedding planners Michelle Durpetti Events, Kacie Benjamin of The Pavilion, photographer Jen Badalamenti of Jen Lynne Photography, and videographers, Laura and Stephen Drew of Brittania Drew. We were so blessed by this amazing group of people who worked seamlessly together. Because of their collaboration and flawless execution of our creative details, we were able to enjoy all the sweet and joyous moments of our beautiful day!

Photography: Jen Lynne Photography | Videography: Brittania Drew Photo & Video | Wedding Planner: Michelle Durpetti Events | Cake: Sugar Jones | Jewelry: The Left Bank Bridal Finery | Catering: Abreo | Hair & Makeup: Arch Apothecary | DJ: Spinnin Discs | Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Pavillion At Orchard Ridge Farms | Floral & Decor: The Floral Company | Linens: Beautiful Day Linens | Rentals: Northpark Rentals | Vintage Rentals: The Savoy Flea

Romantic Garden Wedding at the Rockford Art Museum

Before we even get into how gorgeous this Rockford Art Museum is, can we please just take a moment to swoon over this Bride’s gorgeous BHLDN gown? I am in love. It’s the perfect gown for this seriously stylish affair. With its understated yet elegant vibe all captured beautifully by Ryan Timm Photography, it goes without saying this entire wedding is just beyond. See it all here.


From The Bride…Right away Ryan and I had ideas of what we wanted to achieve for our wedding. We wanted something simple, elegant and romantic. That is where our mind set started as we began to plan our special day. We were engaged at the end of February and planned to be married the August of that same year.

The first thing Ryan and I both knew we wanted for our ceremony was an intimate outdoor location with our closest family and friends. We both love nature and enjoy the serenity it gives. After we found the ceremony and reception locations we began to plan all of the other details.
The dress was the next step, and once I found it I suddenly had a very clear vision of what I wished the day to look like. A day that relayed simple elegance filled with blush pink bows, lace, gold details and beautiful summer hydrangeas. This mantra of “simple elegance” quickly became the theme of our wedding.

Once we had the date and attire, we were flying into high gear finding the perfect arrangement of flatware, linens and flowers. We had such a wonderful time creating a vision together and making it all come to life. I still cannot believe that we were able to have a wedding that relayed so much of our creativity and personality. It was quite a special day for me, I found my best friend and partner whom I can finally call my husband and that was the most beautiful part of the day.

Photography: Ryan Timm Photography | Videography: Parker Nyquist | Ceremony Venue: Anderson Japanese Gardens | Reception Venue: Rockford Art Museum | Catering: Abreo | Hair And Makeup: Mane Expressions By Chris Gill | Band: New Balance | Bridal Gown: BHLDN | Bridesmaid Attire: Bella Bridesmaid | Flower Girl Attire: Nordstrom | Groom And Groomsmen Clothing: J.Crew

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DIY Inspired Wedding from C. Tyson Photography

Mixing rustic and modern just so happens to be one of my all-time favorite wedding combinations; a style choice that is guaranteed to make me weak in the knees the moment I lay my eyes on its pure awesomeness.  Such is the case with this beautiful day captured by C. Tyson Photography, a stop-you-in-your-tracks DIY affair set against the industrial amazingness known as the Prairie Street Brewhouse and featuring one of the most beautiful bouquets you will ever, ever see from Broadway Florist.  Soak in every last gorgeous moment right here in the full gallery.

From ChristopherI met Brittany and Joe in 2010 when I photographed their friends’ wedding. They were just dating at the time and were both in the Bridal Party. After seeing the photographs from that wedding, they made it clear that when they did get married, I would be the one to document their wedding. Fast forward three years and here we are! Brittany and Joe have been absolutely huge vocal supporters of me over the years and when they got their engagement photographs, I could not believe how rapidly they spread them through every social media platform. I feel they did a great job of honoring tradition yet they were not afraid to make it theirs. They even tossed the idea of cake out the window and just had an ice cream bar instead!

The church they were married at was St. Bridget Church and is very unique with the entire sanctuary being round with a spire in the middle that lets all kinds of natural light pour into the venue. This church is the church that Joe and his entire family grew up in. So while the space is beautiful, the church means something to the couple. The reception space was the Prairie Street Brewhouse. The Brewhouse was originally built as the Peacock Brewery in the 1850’s. Through the years it has survived fires, the prohibition area, recessions and much more. Yet in the early 2000’s, the brewery was a shell of itself and it needed many repairs. In the past four years it has undergone an entire transformation and is now a hub in the downtown revival that Rockford, Illinois is undergoing. While it has been updated, the builders have been very careful to retain as many elements as possible to keep the rustic, urban feel that the Brewhouse had originally had.

Photographer: C. Tyson Photography | Florist: Broadway Florist | Wedding Dress: Sarah Grace | Ceremony Venue: St. Bridget Church | Reception Venue: Prairie Street Brewhouse | Caterer: Altamore | Hair and Makeup: Thexiprence Salon and Spa | Lighting: Luxe Productions | Lighting: Spin N Play | DJ: Spin N Play | Suits: Jos. A. Bank

Urban Loft Wedding Inspiration from Mandy Blair + Lauren Wave Weddings

I grew up in Montana, and spent my life dreaming of marrying in a barn or in a breathtaking field smack-dab next to a lake.  But for the last few years, every time I even begin to imagine saying “I do,” it’s in a seriously fab urban loft space.  And the wedding of my dreams?  Well, it’s a lot like this inspiration shoot created by Mandy Blair and Lauren Wave Weddings, aka, a crazy gorgeous day filled to the brim with glitter, vibrant colors and a whole lot of modern meets elegant pretty.  See every last glorious detail in the full gallery.

And a crazy beautiful look behind the scenes from Autumn Tree Films to jump start your weekend…

Colors
Settings
Industrial

From Lauren Wave WeddingsWhen I first walked into Mandy Blair’s gorgeous studio I thought, “we have to do a shoot here!”  Not much later we took action and were knee-deep into DIY projects and inspiration boards. Working off of the bare brick, wood floors, and floor to ceiling windows in the loft, we dreamed up a shoot that worked with the space and was an inspiring mix of old and new, edgy and whimsical. The loft really was the inspiration for the shoot.

We wanted to incorporate color, glamour, and a lot of interesting elements. Our models, a couple who themselves are still soaking in the joy of newly wedded bliss (yay!) have a very modern look so we decided to play with that and worked in a dip dyed tulle skirt and sequin top for the bride and deep pinks and purples for the groom’s boutonniere and vintage ties. The sweetheart table was full of all sorts of magical little elements from a whimsical owl and custom dinner plates to the thistle and cabbage in the floral and the sparkle feather place cards. It was all topped off with little glass trinkets from a “Bottle of Whimsy” found at Anthropologie. The shoot ended at twilight in the back of an urban patio, under the stars. The sequin backdrop paired perfectly with the rawness of the patio space, helping capture the “end of the night love” feeling we wanted to convey.

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Photography + Invitations: Mandy Blair Photography | Cinematography: Autumn Tree Films | Event + Floral Design: Lauren Wave Weddings | Heart Print: Lindsay Letters | Patio Location: Abreo Rockford | Dress: DIY Tulle Skirt + Sequin Top from Nordstrom | Hair + Makeup: RVG Onsite | Hair Accessories + Shoe Accessories: Heirblooms | Jewelry: Rach B. Jewelry | Cake: The Sweetery