in with the old

I can happily admit the fact that I am an “old soul” in that I appreciate all things vintage and antique when it comes to fashion, furniture, accessories, music, manners, etc. But I have noticed more and more, that I am not the only one … everywhere I look fashions from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s are resurrecting, record players are coming back in popularity, and vintage broaches and jewelry are all the rave.

I have collected a few vintage broaches from Etsy.com and was given a vintage typewriter from my grandparents. It is so beautiful, and yet very meaningful. As a matter of fact, I used the typewriter as the guest book at my wedding! I found this great store Frock in New York from the-coveted.com/blog that has all vintage fashions (and the good labels!) – next time I’m in the big city, I’m going to have to stroll on in … I would also love a stack of vintage Louis Vuitton suitcases stacked in my house – a girl can dream!

chanel pvc dress

vintage broaches

vintage typewriter

vintage vuitton

Vintage jewelry locally collected and re-created into new pieces by Madeliene O’Connell (a local artist in the Highlands) are definitely statement pieces. You can find these jewels at Fleur de Lis.

vintage jewelry

vintage jewelry

Oh Audrey Hepburn, you are such an inspiration to brands and women’s fashion all around the world! You are the standard for elegant dress and timeless style. Even Ray Ban Sunglasses was inspired by Audrey’s famous black frames in Breakfast at Tiffany’s … affordable vintage fashions can be found at modcloth.com. Happy Shopping!

audrey hepburn

{images via Fleur de Lis, Tutiz.com, the-coveted.com/blog, Fashion & Luxury}

love story…in writing

{images via A Day in May Design and 100 Layer Cake}

I’m a total romantic and also a writer at heart, so the more details of how a couple met and fell in love, the better. I am totally smitten after seeing the idea of sharing a couples timeline or courtship via save the date. It’s creative, unique, fun and its a wonderful opportunity for couples to share their love story with guests.

Meet with Jenna at Fleur de Lis to put your love story on paper!

royal wedding viewing party

To most women (or at least to me), the royal wedding is equivalent to the Super Bowl… times 10. I am beyond excited to watch the historic events unfold. I’m a sucker for romance, and it’s a true Cinderella story. A commoner (a beautiful one) meets a handsome prince. They date. Fall in love. He proposes with Princess Diana’s gorgeous sapphire ring. She says yes. They are to be wed in front of millions at the Westminster Abbey.

At least for a day, girls everywhere believe, even more than ever, that they too can and will meet their prince charming and be a ‘princess.’

It’s a perfect opportunity for a royal wedding viewing party. Here are my ideas and inspiration board. Invite your girlfriends over…it’s a party fit for royalty.

Cheers!

P.S. Be sure to TiVo the event, as it will be aired either really early in the morning or really late at night, depending on where you live.

royalteawatchingparty

Food: Serve blueberry scones with jam. Shortbread cookies with a variety of teas, of course. Strawberry champagne. Assortment of tea sandwiches and strawberries and cream on cake stands and pretty platters. Champagne cupcakes courtesy of With Style and Grace.

Decor: DIY Britain flag table cloth. Floral arrangements in vintage or new tea tins. Tea cups placed on DIY mini cupcake stands (tutorial to arrive soon). DIY or store-bought British flag banner. British cupcake toppers or free printable from The TomKat Studio. For place cards at the table, remove the tags from tea bags, replace them with small handwritten name tags for each one of your friends.

Favors: Each friend receives a pearl necklace wrapped around a napkin (set at each place setting) with a replica diamond sapphire ring on top so she is made to feel like a princess. Or tell your girlfriends to pucker up with royal lip gloss.

Be sure to tell guests to wear their best hat. Ask each guest to bring a vintage tea cup and saucer. You can stack and use as decor, and even swap a tea cup and saucer set with a friend at the end of the party.

 {images via Martha Stewart, The Party Dress, People online, The Charm of Home, All Things Nice, HGTV, Food Network, Celebrations at Home}

vintage glamour. part 2

Jenna and William’s wedding continued…

chandelier, vintage wedding

entry chandeliers

ostrich feather centerpieces

Nearly 180 guests dined and danced in a ballroom transformed into a black and white wedding extravaganza. A three-piece jazz band serenaded guests during cocktail hour upstairs, looking down upon the decorated venue. Old black and white Audrey Hepburn movies such as Roman Holiday and Love in the Afternoon played silently in the background on the televisions throughout the venue all evening. Two crystal chandeliers greeted guests in the entrance, a gorgeous, 8 foot tall chandelier lit the center of the dance floor and black drapery gracefully adorned the walls. Adding to the vintage ‘look’ was the large feathers and orchids that were beautifully placed in vintage candelabras on the guests’ tables and hundreds of lit candles in mercury glass containers flickered throughout the evening.

vintage-chandelier-black-and-white-wedding

feather centerpieces

black and white movie

fleur de lis flutes

j&w first dance

The details of the wedding were flawless. Vintage skeleton keys, bought from Etsy seller, Ashbury Lane, served as the escort card for each guest. Our mom, the mother-of-the-bride, covered a large cork board with a black velour fabric. Our aunt Sue stitched Jenna and William’s monogram in the center of the board, and hooks held each vintage key. Guests signed their name and a note to the bride and groom on paper in the bride’s grandparent’s vintage typewriter. Each female guest received a black and white damask print Envirosax bag, and each male guest received a custom hand-rolled cigar made by Clay Carlton, Palma Cigars, both of which both served as a place card and gift. And, the kids enjoyed their black and white colored Sixlets candies in custom round containers with Jenna and William’s monogram.

j&w place settings

vintage keys-wedding-placecards

sixlet place cards

vintage centerpieces

Custom letterpress menus, which you can find at Fleur de Lis, were set at each place setting. Mercury glass containers spaced along the bar held custom printed match boxes, and custom napkins with the couple’s monogram were neatly placed at each bar.

j&w matches

j&w wedding napkins

j&w wedding menu

Jenna and William wanted the guests to feel like they were really a part the wedding, so they asked guests to wear black and white attire. Jenna and William took a trip to New Orleans shortly before their engagement, and really wanted to incorporate a New Orleans flair to their wedding day, and food seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. Epicurean Catering hosted delicious jambalaya and beignets for guests to enjoy.

jenna place setting

chocolate shooters

More important than anything that day was the love that radiated from William and Jenna’s faces. They were both so happy. From the small details to the ‘wow’ factors, and everything in between, they made their wedding day their own…and it was magical.

wedding toast

bouquet toss

just married

{images via professional photographer Betsey Holley Photography}

Other fantastic vendors to note.
Make-up: Aldo Celeste, Flirt Salon
Hair: Bobbie Mitchell, Sola Salon Cherry Creek North
Lighting and Decor: Rodd Metcalf, LMD Productions
Linens: Linda Bluhm, Linens Unlimited
Transportation: Ambassador’s Rolls Royce
Jewelry: Madeline O’Connell, Gracious Lupita and Black Poodle