udder-ly in love

I LOVE the idea of doing a milk and cookie themed party for kids, but after seeing this beautiful, vintage Milk and Cookies shoot at Love and Lavender, I know a milk and cookies shoot for adults is not only fun, but gorgeous too. In fact, for cookie lovers, I think this party theme is a necessity. It’s official…I’m UDDER-ly in love…as Love and Lavender so eloquently say in the shoot!

 I love all the details in this shoot – the chocolate chips weighed on an antique scale, the menu on wood shingles and a recipe for love guest table…oh, it’s too cute for words! Thank you to the creative and talented sisters-in-law pair, Ellen and Aileen, at Love and Lavender for sharing their photos with us. And, definitely check out the rest of the shoot here {there’s a lot more fantastic inspiration waiting for you}.

If you thought Part I was amazing {you’re right because it was}, but you’re in for a tasty treat with Part II of their cookie shoot. See the full shoot here.

{images courtesy of  Jonda Spurbeck Photographers via Love and Lavender}

heather + dennis

I saw this photo…
and was completely in love with this wedding…and I want to borrow the bride’s red shoes!
Heather and Dennis McMahon were married back in June 12, 2010 in Syracuse, New York. Living in Colorado and planning the wedding in New York was no small feat according to Heather, “but damn was it a good time, and a day that I would do over and over again, and never change a single detail.” 
Two years later, the classic ballroom/vintage style of this wedding is still timeless and an inspiration for today’s brides. Per Heather and Dennis’ request, their photographer Kelly Stremmel captured their day the way it unfolded, without too many shots being posed, but rather artistic shots that represent things the way they took place.  The artistic, natural shots Kelly captured was one of our favorite things about this wedding…and we’re happy to share it with you today.
After meeting at SUNY Oswego in New York their last semester of college, and joining mutual friends at a Dave Matthews Concert several weeks later, Heather and Dennis had an undeniable love connection. Having dated only 6 short months, the love birds moved Vail, Colorado and on their 4th anniversary Dennis popped the question at The Vail Plaza Hotel before a romantic dinner at LaTour. They married two years later, almost 6 years to the day of our “first date” at the Dave Matthews show.
In Heather’s words: It was very important to me that my bridesmaids be comfortable and have the ability to showcase their own style. I gave each girl black coque feathers to put in their hair however they desired once it was styled, and a vintage brooch to incorporate into their dress wherever they liked. 
We wanted to have a bit of Colorado inspiration in our wedding, but still pull off the ballroom vintage vibe. We placed hummingbird fly fishing flies in our calla lily boutonnieres for the guys as Dennis is a big fly fisherman and our guest book was a coffee table picture book filled with stunning images of Colorado. 
To see each other or not to see each other before the ceremony was a question Heather struggled with, but as she said, “I knew that if I didn’t see him and get all of those emotions out-of-the-way, the anticipation was going to leave me an emotional, blubbering wife-to-be. Dennis is my rock and I needed him with me for the emotional roller coaster that was our wedding day… and I simply could not wait to be with him! So, about an hour prior to the ceremony Dennis and I met on a street corner.
 
The 590-room non functioning hotel was built in 1924 and has character and charm like no other. The floor to ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of the city, the stunning vintage gold chandeliers everywhere create an incredibly romantic ambiance, and on the 10th floor is the Grand Ballroom…perfect for our reception. 
In Heather’s words: The Dave Matthews Band was what sparked our fiery romance, and therefore their music served as inspiration on our wedding day. Our first dance was to none other than the DMB song, “You and Me.” Dennis picked me up when Dave sings “…teach them to fly…” And we leaned back and forth on each other singing “…we could do better than anything that we did, you know that you and me, we could do anything,” with a stratigic high five and then I did my happy dance. 
Per Heather and Dennis, their DJ handed our “flair” toward the end of the night, which brought out the silly in everyone.
And, who wouldn’t want to run in the rain at the end of your wedding night? How romantic and fun…the perfect send-off if you ask me!
 
VENDOR LOVE
Bridal gown: Maggie Sottero Amour Brooch, purchased at Spy Baby Bridal Boutique in Syracuse, New York
Bridal shoes: Nina
Photographer: Kelly Stremmel
Makeup: Gina Scammell {Ginascammell@yahoo.com}
Hair:Tiffany DeWald {tiffanydewald@ymail.com}
Wedding Planner/Day of Coordinator: Amy Preble {miller5401@hotmail.com}
Ceremony Venue: The Most Holy Rosary Syracuse, New York
Reception Venue: The Hotel Syracuse Syracuse, New York
Cake: Pascale Bake House, Syracuse, New York
Desert Bar: DIY {Do-It-Yourself}
Stationery: DIY

jennifer + carl’s italian i do’s

All three of us were fortunate enough {thanks mom and dad} to study in Florence, Italy for a semester during college. It may have been the best 6 months of our lives. Priceless beauty and memories we all cherish!

During Jenna’s travel abroad adventure, the whole family flew out to travel with her for a couple of weeks, and we made the trip to Santa Margherita. What a treat! Nestled on the gorgeous Italian Riviera, the colorful buildings, fabulous shops, beautiful views from boat rides or the coast, enchanting side streets and the delicious food of this small town is intoxicating.

Which is why, when we received photos from Julian Kanz Photography of Jennifer and Carl saying I do at Villa Durazzo in Santa Margherita Ligure, our hearts were overjoyed with excitement.

We love the mini-sized Italian transportation, the setting, Jennifer’s contagious smile and the simplicity and beauty of the day.

VENDOR LOVE
Venue: Villa Durazzo, Santa Margherita Ligure
Photographer: Julian Kanz Photography

{images via Julian Kanz Photography}

looking pretty in plum pretty sugar

I know I seem to have a new obsession every week – I just can’t help it. My new obsession and item added to my wish list is…

a Plum Pretty Sugar robe {knee-length, beckoning creatures print robe to be exact}.

I just dream of putting this on with a hot cup of joe or tea in hand and curling up on the couch to read a good book….or who am I kidding, the latest issue of People Magazine.

Or, even in my reality of a hectic morning routine packing lunches and snacks, getting the kids fed, dressed and out the door for the day’s activity…if I were wearing a Plum Pretty Sugar robe {instead of my ragged old t-shirt and sweats}, I would feel pretty and feminine…and that is essential for a woman and mom!

For all of you brides out there, a Plum Pretty Sugar robe is the PERFECT bridesmaid gift {or gift to yourself}. And, what lovely photos the day of your wedding. You and all of your maids can feel pretty and pampered on the wedding day, and everyday after when you put it on. You can buy your maids matching sets, or get everyone a different color to spice things up. Whatever you choose to do, I promise, your maids will love you forever for giving them such a lovely gift.

Jacey, our fabulous girlfriend over at Damsel in Dior, gave each of her maids, her mom and herself a Plum Pretty Sugar robe to wear while getting ready for her wedding day {if you haven’t seen her wedding video by Lovespun Films, please do yourself a favor and see it here. Or, if you haven’t seen gorgeous photos of her wedding day, click here}.

{images via Lauren Ross Photography and Jacey’s girlfriend and bridesmaid Gia}

diy framed burlap table numbers

I am excited to share another DIY project from my own wedding: table numbers.

For the look, we wanted rustic. Something with burlap (love!). Something simple. Something that complimented the entire table setting.

Here are easy DIY steps to make table numbers with burlap fabric.

You will need:

– hot glue gun
– glue sticks
– scissors
– frames
– wood numbers

How to:

1. Stock up on frames from Michaels.
{hint: never buy frames that aren’t on sale at Michaels! if there’s not a sale goin’ on, wait a few days and there’s guaranteed to be one!}

2. Purchase your fabric. Super cheap.
{we went to Hobby Lobby}

3. Since I’m not the most patient person in the world, I decided to skip tracing the sample photo onto the fabric and dug right in to cutting while tracing.
{it’s okay if it’s not exact – the frame won’t show the edges in the front !}

4. Cover the entire glass with glue from your glue gun. Be quick – it dries fast! Press firm into the fabric after placing it onto the glass. Burlap is tricky – it’s tough to get it to stick completely. Don’t worry if it’s not entirely stuck onto the glass. When you glue the numbers on, that will act as a double coat of glue 🙂
{ps the glue won’t ruin your frames. it’s very easy to peel off – dry or after soaking in hot water for a few minutes! you can definitely reuse the frames!}

5. Place your new burlap covered glass into the frame and close the backing.

6. Glue your wood numbers and carefully place onto the burlap.
{we went to Hobby Lobby for the numbers and stained them red with a wood stain from Home Depot}

7. Voila! You’re done! Absolutely beautiful 🙂

Be creative!
I used these two for the gift table and guest book table to throw into the mix – so fun!

{images via Tutto Bella & Jenna Walker Photographers}