Real Wedding: Stephanie & Chris at The City Winery

I love working at the City Winery and was happy to have another opportunity to do so this past November. Working with Stephanie was quite literally the most pleasant and easiest experience. She was clear on her vision, had few requests and allowed me creativity. The result was a warm and seasonal feeling throughout the winery.

 

Thanksgiving Giveaway

I'm so happy to be partnering with Doreen of Vicolo Mio for the "Hostess with the Mostess" giveaway. 

Make your Thanksgiving celebration even more fabulous, enter to win some amazing accessories styled by Vicolo Mio and a table centerpiece from Blade.  A perfect addition to your Thanksgiving celebration.

You can find the full details over at Vicolo Mio.

You have until the 15th to enter so move fast!!

Affordable Art Fair

I was proud to be a small part of the fall Affordable Art Fair a few weeks ago. Keeping with the pink of the logo and incorporating some long lasting fall elements I was happy with the final result.

Real Wedding: Stephie & Chris

Everyone loves a good down home backyard wedding. But do you know what is even better? Having it right over the bridge at Bubby's in Brooklyn! Stephie was so fun and easy to work with. She had a million DIY projects going on even while I styled and designed most of the decor. She involved her family and friends in on the action and it ended up being such a beautiful and heartfelt wedding.

Loved the color and varying styles of bridesmaids dresses. The olive green was used throughout the design and paired with orange tones.

Vintage (aka "old") window frames strung with jute twine and mini wooden clothes pins were used to hold escort cards.

A combination of mason jars, brown bottles and moss covered containers were used to hold a mix of roses, dahlias, gomphrena, bush ivy and asclepia. Single stems of ranunculus and viburnum berry filled the individual vases running the length of the table.

Sweet Treats were courtesy of Bubby's (famous for their pies!), cake from Momofuku milk bar and homemade whoopie pies by the couples aunt.

These programs were designed by a bridesman and printed by the uncle of the groom.

I especially loved the sweetheart table with the Mr. and Mrs. signs found from Little Wee Shop on etsy.

Hand painted table numbers on slices of birch bark.

Handwritten menu on a vintage mirror. Homemade granola, bbq rub and sauces made by Stephie and friends.

 

Best of luck to Stephie and Chris on a happy life together!

*Most images courtesy of Henry Shoots

Flower Market Finds: Local Flowers

Late July through the fall brings about a great local flower season. It's always a treat to visit the market and see the many bundles of flowers wrapped in brown paper lining the sidewalks outside some of my favorite vendors. When you see these bundles you know you are in for a great find. Today we had hydrangea, cocks comb (celosia), lady's mantle, asclepia, zinnias and dahlias. The dahlias start slowly but once they are in full swing they are readily available in amazing tones (that lend themselves to fall and jewel toned color palettes). It's great to be able to use local flowers when it's the right season to do so...and now it is.


Zinnias


Asclepia

Cocks Comb (Celosia)


Lady's Mantle, Hydrangea, Millet


Dahlias

Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas

there are so many choices in colors and textures at this time of year. combination's can range from softer tones of orange and greens to more vibrant tones of orange and golds. of course leaves, berries and branches intertwined throughout the arrangement gives a lovely touch of fall. to create a more abundant look and perhaps use ingredients you already have for your thanksgiving dinner, use a simple wooden crate and combine vegetables and greens for a beautiful and simple table centerpiece.

mango calla lilies, green leucadendron, gold curly willow and orange cymbidium orchids

pin cushion protea, hydrangea, gold cymbidium orchids, roses and asclepia

asclepia, mango calla lilies, brassica and orange tulips

purple brassica, broccoli, echinacea, persimmon, radishes and artichokes

carrots, artichokes, radishes, zucchini, red scallions and various herbs

table decoration shouldn't end with the centerpiece! there are other ways to add special and thoughtful touches to your thanksgiving table.
here are some easy ideas...
for place card ideas and napkin accents, you can always count on Martha Stewart to have some great ideas. i saw these simple place cards over on etsy and think that these candles are so adorable and could easily be added to a floating candle centerpiece.
Country Living also put together some great looks, you can find them here.
for a more modern look for the table, i love this orange and gray color combo.

along with all of the flowers and decorations nothing is more impressive than a properly set table. below are examples of an informal and formal table settings.


photo courtesy of classy and fabulous via simplified bee

whatever you choose to do and no matter what your Thanksgiving table design looks like, give thanks and enjoy the times with the special people in your life.
xo

Juliette Roses

garden roses are romantic, feminine, luscious and perfectly beautiful. one of my favorites is Juliette, a particular David Austin variety from California that are available all year round. that's the best part since most often the bulk of garden roses are available during the summer months.

i've used it here in a design that would work really well for a Thanksgiving table. paired with the roses i used cymbidium orchids, freesia, asclepia, bush ivy and accents of curly willow. it's not your typical fall arrangement filled with berries, fall leaves and other more traditional elements but i think the colors work well for the season.

more ideas for Thanksgiving are on the way...