Board#233: Apricot & Grey

Well the crazy good weather continues around these parts... honestly I don't know how you people in places like California get work done when you have so much sunshine!! Although there is only so much time you can spend out there in the harsh sun during the day admittedly! I think I need a paddling pool under my desk to keep me cooler, it's that warm! (ooh now that's actually not a bad idea!!). 

How lovely is this apricot and grey combination! It's timeless don't you think? Love the little pop of colour in the groomsmens ties! There are SO many pretty options when it comes to flowers in peach and apricot tones so you really can't go wrong there.

Photos from top left; Bride & Groomsmen | Brumley & Wells, Flowers on chair | Jose Villa, Favours | Cameron & Kelly Studios, Shoes | via Style Me Pretty, Boutonniere | Brienne Photography, Couple | We love pictures, Peach Roses | Ariella Chezar, Table setting | Elizabeth Messina

Christmas Gift Guide | Peach, Apricot & Coral

It's that time of year, we're all manically (if you're anything like me that is!!) trying to think of wonderful ideas to buy for our nearest and dearest. So for the next week I'll be bringing you a series of fabulous gift guides... all in pretty colour shades naturally!! To start with, we have a selection of all things pretty in 'it colours' peach, apricot and coral. Doesn't this just scream fun summer times to you? And of course if you're currently wading through snow right now, you can always take this as inspiration for your mid-winter vacation!!

Straw hat | Witchery, Striped top | Witchery, Candle | Glasshouse, Nail polish | OPI, Chair | Mildred & Co, Hand cream | MOR, Striped tote | Country Road, Striped ballet shoes | Country Road, Washi Tape | Bahana Splits on Etsy, Pillow | Anthropologie

Board#225: Peach Fizz & Popsicles

Photos from top left; Mojitos | Not Without Salt, Popsicles | Eric Kelley, Bride | Elizabeth Messina, Ring | Luxe Deluxe, Bellinis | Family Style Food, Bouquet | Hazelwood Photography, Cake | Sarah Bond of Celebration Cakes (photo by KT Merry)

A colour story - Purple & Orange

Thought I'd inject a little vibrant colour into this Friday! This was my colour shoot for Issue 4 of {MAG}rouge. Such fun colours to play with! I can't believe it's October in just a couple of days. I really don't feel like we've even started spring, the weather has been so average! I'm quite sure we're due for a really good run of settled warm weather soon... and I think we're all hanging out for it!Do you have any plans for the weekend? We might try and catch the new movie, Looper... has anyone seen it yet? Looks like a goodie! And it's my little niece's 10th birthday so we'll be doing something with the family... I can't believe she's 10!! Well you have yourselves a lovely weekend! K xo

Click here to see previous colour story posts.

Board#204: Blushing Crimson

Our poor wee Charlie is going in for an op today to get speyed! I feel bad for her. Sorta hoping it's going to calm her down a touch, although most people have said it didn't make a difference to their pups. Anyone had any experience with that?
I love all these muted warm blush and mocha tones with the punch of a coraly (I know, not really a word) crimson, so pretty without being uber girly... if that makes sense? I think the neutral tones lend an earthy touch to it. I also really love the concept of having big rugs scattered on the lawn for your guests to kick back on, and the touch of lantern light just makes it magical. I think this is the perfect palette for a very chic but relaxed garden wedding.

Photos from top left; Bridesmaids | Braedon Flynn, Girl with red heart | Elizabeth Messina, Outdoor seating | Amy & Stuart, Galvanised tub of apples | Kirsten Ellis, Peach tumbler | Avery House,  Pencils | via Style Me Pretty, Invitation | via Style Me Pretty, Cake | Elizabeth Messina

Board#199: Peach & Lace

Happy Friday folks!! It's a VERY happy Friday for me. If you haven't caught up with my Facebook page, it's my birthday tomorrow, and my fabulous hubby planned a wonderful night last night with all my nearest and dearest. He told me about two weeks ago that he had a surprise planned for my actual birthday... and then last weekend told me I'd have to get up at 5.30am. I couldn't for the life of me think what we would be doing that required me getting up that early and I ruled out going anywhere too far as he'd told me that puppy Charlie would be involved and that he was playing golf Sunday morning (threw me a dummy there!!). So in the middle of the party last night he told me that we were going to Melbourne for three days!! Woohoo!! I was gobsmacked (I think my reaction here says it all!!!). I can't believe he's been planning this for weeks, all my friends and family have known, and I never suspected a thing! He's booked us into Nobu (we had one of our best meals ever at Nobu in Hawaii a few years back) for dinner tomorrow, I have a spa session thanks to some wonderful girlfriends, and a weekend of eating and shopping is planned. So so excited!!

So I'll leave you with the delightful colour palette of peach and pale blue while I start planning what to pack (and doing a bit of scrambling making sure I don't leave any clients in the lurch with this unexpected break!!). Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Photos from top left; Blue/Peach Dress, Lace Dress | Polly Alexandre, Bouquet | via Brides Cafe, Couple | Tanja Lippert, Cake | Corbin Gurkin, Lace Dress | Polly Alexandre, Bride | via Wedding Style Guide, Invitation | Ruby & Willow

Board#196: Pretty in Purple

Well I thought we needed a good dose of pretty for the end of the week so that's what we'll finish off with this Friday afternoon. Doesn't this make for the sweetest colour combination? How pretty would that lavender couch be in your reception area? I love the idea of a breakout zone at your wedding for guests to just kick back.

Do you have some fabulous plans for the weekend? I'm off to see the Flight of the Concords Show tonight which should be a great laugh, and Charlie girl is having a sleep over at the in-laws so woo-hoo, I get a sleep in and Saturday morning to myself whilst hubby plays golf (yes I fully appreciate how ridiculous that sounds - she's a puppy for goodness sake!!). And then no definite plans for the rest of the weekend which is just how I like it. I have been meaning to check out the Coatesville Markets for so long now so perhaps this weekend it'll finally happen! Whatever your plans are I hope you have a good one! K xo

Photos from top left; Couch | via This is Glamourous, Pink Dress & Orange treats | Martha Stewart Weddings, Calligraphy | Kathryn Murray, Lavender Dress & Copper Vases | Sutherland Kovach, Lavender & Apricot Tablesetting | Martha Stewart Weddings, Purple Tie | Oh Darling,  Macarons | via Style Me Pretty

Style Files: ApricotMustardTeal

How fun are these colours together? Perfect for a fun summer wardrobe!

Sandals | Lip gloss | Dress | Earrings | Chair | Lantern | Outfit | Nail polish | Dress | Tank

Poppies & Peaches

Happy Anzac day to my fellow New Zealanders!! I actually completely forgot it was a public holiday until about 5pm last night when hubs told me he was heading out for drinks on a Tuesday night (not a regular occurence for someone who's up before 5am every morning). So yay bonus... day at home with both him and Charlie (read 'phew I can hand over the puppy reins for a bit!!'). So as it's Poppy Day thought I'd highlight the prettiness that is these beauties... aren't they just delightful? They have such a whimsical nature to them. Add some lovely fresh peaches or apricots to the mix and I think it makes for a gorgeous wedding tablescape.

I think we'll be off to the beach soon to wear one hyper little Charlie out!! Even the vet said to me yesterday 'is she always like this'? No thank goodness, but when the witching hour arrives... more than once a day, she's quite the handful! Enjoy the pretty!

Field of Poppies, Tablesetting | Paper Poppies | Tablesetting

Board#171: Coral Crush

I've always been a big fan of coral or orange shades, especially when it's used with an array of differing tones, and a teeny touch of gold thrown in doesn't go amiss.

Photos; Dresses | Jose Villa, Cocktails | via Style Me Pretty, Shoes | , Jose Villa, Headpiece | Lo Boheme, Couple & Orange Truck | Abi Q Photo , Orange invite | Linea Carta, Cake | Aaron Delesie, Melon | source, Escort Buttons | Caroline Tran via Style Me Pretty, Sweet Tea Invite | Ruby & Willow

A colour story - Apricot & Red

I had so much fun working on this colour story for {MAG}rouge!! Inspired by the amazing Mangosteen fruit, I love the combination of the rich red with caramel, apricot and peach tones. I had this gorgeous apricot floral fabric that worked perfectly with them and from there it took shape. Don't you think this would make for such a pretty wedding colour palette?... and that's coming from someone who is not the biggest fan of red in weddings.

All photos by Ruby & Willow

Board#109: Sage & Apricot

Morning kids!!! How's your week going? Mine has been trucking along very nicely thanks :-) I've been working on a little project for the business for some time now, and there have been a few ups and downs and roundabouts but it all fell ever so nicely into place yesterday so today I'm a happy chappy! I know that's a bit of a tease but all will be revealed in good time! (sorry I actually hate it when people do that but I couldn't help myself!) We also had a very welcome day of rain yesterday which was such a reprieve from the sticky heat we've had... and saved some time watering the garden last night which was a nice change! So onto today's board... I love the combo of a sage green with an almost dirty apricot.. both quite muted shades but so so pretty. Those books tied up with a touch of moss just make me happy!! I'd quite happily display that in my home!

Photos from top left; True Love sign | via Fry Dog Design Blog. Couple in field | Tanja Lippert, Books | Josh Goleman via 100 Layer Cake
2nd row; Bridesmaids | Corbin Gurkin via Style Me Pretty, Tablesetting | Rinne Allen via Rifle Made , Bracelet | unknown source, Invitation | Ruby & Willow
3rd row; Bouquet | Nicole Gerulat via Style Me Pretty, Bridesmaid | Avery House

Board#93: Cranberry & Apricot

Well I promised a wee while back some more summery boards so here we have it! Isn't this just the prettiest combination? I know peach/apricot combined with red isn't a combo you would instantly think of but the apricot really softens the red and well it's just so girly and yummy!! This week is just flying, I seriously cannot believe it's the first of December today. I hope all your Christmas preparations are coming along better than mine... I so want to be organised but with my work load but I'm fearing it'll be a last minute thing once again. We're hosting the family at our place this year and I'd like to have it all worked out at least a few days prior to the big 25!!

Photos from top left;  Cannelle et Vanille, Country Living, Elizabeth Messina, Tory Williams via Style Me Pretty
2nd row; Tinywater photography, Corbin Gurkin via Once Wed, Southern Weddings Mag, Abby Jiu via Style Me Pretty

{Guest Post} Enchanted Dream Weddings

I know I've said it before but I really have met some wonderful people through blogging and twitter and I honestly feel if I were to travel the world right now I would have a warm meal and a bed waiting for me in several ports - not to mention a cocktail or two!! Naomi from Enchanted Dream Weddings is just one of the many lovely people I've met, and possibly one of the most special (she also lives a short car ride away from one of my besties in San Diego which now gives me even more reason to visit in the near future!). I'm delighted to have her guest post for me here today and what a gorgeous post it is!! Thanks Nay xo

My lovely friend Kate is busy setting up her new house this week (YAY!). So before taking off to “nest,” she has lined up some great guest bloggers while she is away...and I am one of them! I am so very honored! Kate and I “met” via Twitter and have become dear friends and the occasional Skype pals. I am happy and blessed to call Kate my friend. She has the most discerning eye, which is evident in the lovely stationery and inspiration boards she creates at her studio in New Zealand. So what does one blog about as a guest blogger on one of the loveliest blogs EVER? Good question…
After much thought, I decided to create an inspiration board using a color palette that I absolutely love. I did not want to choose a common color palette. I wanted to choose a palette this is not always seen and not hard for a bride to capture for her own wedding.
The colors used to create this inspiration board are deep apricot, slate gray, ebony, and star white. Black and white, when paired together, will always create a sophisticated palette. Add the fun and sunny disposition of apricot and you will give the duo the “punch” it needs, without using the typical colors (red or pink) it usually paired with.
Whilst creating this board, I imagined a wedding in a loft somewhere in a cosmopolitan city like New York, or Chicago. I incorporated a few rustic touches and mixed it with a few modern elements to give the board a unique spin. The mood of this board is sophisticated, lighthearted, and fun. I hope you think so, too! Enjoy

First row: Vintage camera & teacup, hanging lights, wedding cake, bicycle, dress
Second row: Cat, envelope, bouquet, chair, pillow
Third row: Flannel flowers, gift boxes, bridesmaid dress, place cards, envelope, table, wine bottle

Board#78: Glamour Girls

We're kickstarting Thursday with a little bit of twinkle.... a sprinkle of tulle and a lot of glamour. Gold doesn't have to be over the top and ornate. It works just as well in a more subtle way, and is especially pretty mixed with muted shades like this rose pink and apricot. I've loved this image of the bridesmaids (bottom right) in mis-matched outfits for a long time... it lends such character to the look of your day and allows your bridesmaids to shine in their own right. And the table setting with the pink vintage plate juxtaposed against rough wood.... heaven on a stick. Really.

Photos from top left; Pouf | Eva Lindh, Papel Picado | Belathee Photography via Style Me Pretty, Dress | via Martha Stewart Weddings, Dressing Room | Chris Everard
2nd row; Gold Shoes | via Style Me Pretty, Gold Napkin | Karen Wise, Placesetting | Rinne Allan via Rifle Made, Cake | Gateaux Inc via Style Me Pretty
3rd row; Bridesmaids | via Green Wedding Shoes, Gold Apothecary Jars | Elizabeth Messina, Platter of Scones | Eva Lindh

Board#74: Apricot & Beet

Phew, we've made it to Friday!! We're bracing ourselves here for 'the world's biggest storm' to hit in the next 24 hours. Yes that's what they're saying, a storm the size of Australia (gulp!) is heading our way. Awesome, another weekend of rain... because we REALLY need some more moisture on the ground (insert strong sarcasm here!!)
Once upon a time if someone mentioned they were having purple and orange as their wedding colours you'd quite likely shrink back in horror and imagine some garish nightmare of colour explosion about to happen. Thankfully though there are far more tasteful ways around it when you pull back on the primary colour overload and mix in muted smokey lavender tones with a pretty barely there apricot. I am loving this unexpected colour combination right now and it's a nice alternative for a fall wedding, but equally doable for a lighter spring wedding. What do you think... like, or not really your cuppa tea?

Photos from top left; Books via Style Me Pretty | Cake by Aaron Delesie via Style Me Pretty | Lavender Dress by Jenny Sun via Green Wedding Shoes
2nd row; Macarons via Style Me Pretty | Photo by Simply Bloom | Grey Suit via Wedding Chicks
3rd row; Soup Photo by Kirsten Strecker | Cake via Style Me Pretty | Boutonniere via Martha Stewart Weddings | Bouquet by Jenni Bailey

Board#56: Spring Fling

Happy Monday....did you all have a nice weekend? It's a bit chilly around here so I'm dreamy of warmer days ahead. I'm totally in love with this colour combination, it's perfectly suited to mis-matched bridesmaids dresses which is a trend I'm no where near over. I'd have them all in varying shades of apricot, shell, blush, nude - gorgeous!! Lots of fresh crisp green foliage and I think my favourite ranunculus might have to make an appearance. Long banquet tables littered with breezy white lanterns and trees strung with fairy lights. Perfection! Here's hoping this weeks a good one for you!
 

Photos from top left; Books & bouquet by Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty, Groom by Leo Patrone, Macarons via Inspired by This
2nd row; Bride in field by Tec Petaja, Lantern by Aaron Delesie, Invitation by Lisa Lefkowitz, Bouquet via Martha Stewart Weddings
3rd row; Photo by Eva Lindh, Caravan photo by Elizabeth Messina, Dress from Sarah Seven, Tags by Linda Chaja

Board#32: Etoile

Happy Monday everyone!!! I'm running a little late this morning as it's a holiday here in Auckland (and someone might have stayed up to watch the tennis!!), and a VERY wet and wild one at that. I can't complain as summer has been awesome but feel bad for all those people who have headed away camping!! Good excuse to stay in and curl up with a good book.

Anyway a pretty little board to lift you out of the drizzle/downpour, featuring one of our new invitation designs, Etoile. And for more eye candy to brighten your morning, head over to Fiona's blog for her latest and greatest wedding...I can see this is going to be a regular thing... once again outstanding, beautiful, drop dead gorgeous photos (can someone please come up with some more superlatives??).



Photos from top left; Etoile Invitation from Ruby & Willow, White still life by Gemma Comas, Apricot Tulips via Wedding Style Guide, Wedding Gown via In Style Weddings
2nd row; White Petticoat Polly Wreford, Silver Sandals by Elizabeth Messina, Flowers in Bell Glass by Polly Wreford
3rd row; Rings in sand unknown, White lace by Janne Peters, Peaches by Simply Bloom, Etoile Invitation by Ruby & Willow

Board#20: Country Charm

Happy Tuesday.....hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend.....I was positively euphoric to wake up to streaming sunshine on Saturday!! Mmmm we're back to rain right now, but it was glorious while it lasted!

This board evolved into something completely different to what I originally had in mind, but I think I prefer it! A little bit vintage, a little bit rustic and a lot pretty..... my kind of wedding. Outdoors, long banquet tables, handpicked posies, vintage china.....I'm particularly fond of the beautiful shell coloured glass with the silver cake stand - such a lovely and delicate combination. Would love to do an invitation suite in it. Anyone?



Top from left: photo by Lara Robby, bouquet from Ink & Peat, photo by Union Photography, Cocktails by Jose Villa
2nd row: Silver Tableware by Rinne Allen via Design Sponge, Tandem Invitation Suite by Ruby & Willow, Horseshoe by Union Photography, Table Setting by Elizabeth Messina via Oh How Charming
3rd row: Photo via Green Wedding Shoes, Flowers of Chair by Jose Villa

Board#9: Citrus & Peach

I love weddings where you pick a colour and use it in a variety of different shades and hues....and it works beautifully here in this photo with the bridesmaids. This board puts a little bit of a twist on your usual beach colours but works so well with the natural elements. Throwing in a teal blue would look gorgeous as well.























Top row from left: Orange Bouy by Erica McConnell, Photo of flipflops by Elizabeth Messina
Row 2: sneaker and girl on bike photo by Erica McConnell
Row 3: Photo from Martha Stewart, Cocktail photo Jose Villa
Row 4: Invitation by Ruby & Willow (Kate Holland Design)