Board#232: Black & Kraft

I can't believe we're already a week through January.. kinda feels like New Year's day was just yesterday! It's a bit scary that it's mid-Jan next week and before you know it we'll be into February. I hate it how the beginning of the year just seems to disappear before your eyes!! Slow down time! I have this crazy list of things I want to have done, or in place by the end of this month... really hoping I can get about 80% of them achieved. We've been working on a fairly big project in our garden which we finished today so that was very satisfying... although no sooner were we done I was suggesting the next one! Yep you can be sure my husband more than rolled his eyes at that!

I'm generally not a black and white girl, but I'm rather partial to it used with a warmer ivory and even more so when there's a hint of kraft or taupe thrown in! It's so elegant yet modern.

Photos from top left; Couple | Danelle Bohane, Cake | Baked by Yael (photo Jen Huang), Invitation | Ruby & Willow, Yarn display | Jose Villa, Shoes | BHLDN (photo Scobey Photography), Wallpaper | Anthropologie

Board#223: Black Tie & Sparkles

Well I think this might just be my favourite board ever!! Can you guess why? I never thought I'd have a reason to put Mr George Clooney in a board but well... don't you just think he fits perfectly? Gold and black is a bit of a classic combination that never goes out of style... and of course who doesn't love some shimmer on their wedding day? Be it on your dress, on the tables, or even in your stationery or cake. I love how the gold warms it up so much from simply black and white.

Photos from top left; Cake | Lael Cakes (photo by Jen Huang), Gold ring | Vitalic Photo, Vintage Typewriter | Caroline Ghetes, Cupcakes | Lael Cakes (photo by Jen Huang), Gold Dress | Badgley Mischka, Sequined bowtie | Brancoprata, Calligraphy | Kathryn Murray

Board#172: A New York Moment

New York wedding anyone? I don't often feature much in the way of urban modern affairs but it makes a nice change right... although this still isn't especially modern I guess. It's been a while since I've done a black and yellow board and I love bringing in the warmer mustard shade with tones of grey.

Photos; Taxi shot | Rodney Peters, Still Life Photo | Janne Peters, Dessert Table | Belathee Photography, Bridal Party | unknown source, Tablesetting | Aaron Delesie via Style Me Pretty, Cake | Maggie Austin, Gold Shoes | Valls Photographic, Cookies | Lynette Horner

Board#162: Garden Soiree

I don't often use a lot of black in my boards, but I love it with a crisp apple green and white palette. I love the idea of using actual apples in the decor as well... so simple but very effective. An outdoor garden affair with long banquet tables under some big ol' trees strung with fairy lights, sounds pretty fantastic to me. And of course that convertible get away car is a must have!

Credits; Table setting | Fiona Andersen, Bouquet | Martha Stewart Weddings, Reception in garden | Ellie Grover, Bridesmaids | Fiona Andersen, Apples | My Tartlette , Garden fence | Forever Photography, Convertible car | Fiona Andersen

Board#158: Blush & Noir

Many of you will know that I'm not the biggest fan of black and white, however I can't deny that paired with a touch of subtle colour, it's ever so chic! The full bouquet of ruffly white blooms is pure heaven!! What colour would you pair with black and white?

Photos from top left; Tablesetting | Wedding Style Guide, Suit & Tie | Christine Meintjes via Wedding Chicks, Bouquet | Martha Stewart Weddings

2nd row; Cupcakes | unknown, Cake from Sweet Cakes by Rebecca | photo by Megan Clouse, Anemone Centrepiece by Floral Elements | photo Connie Chung, Pink ring cushion | Stephanie Williams

Board#152: Textured Ivory

Now I'm sure it won't come as a huge surprise to long time readers that I'm not the hugest fan of black and white. I don't wear a lot of black, and I don't even feature a lot of black in my work. Saying that when the white is warmed up to ivory it's a whole other story. It has such a classic elegance to it, and I especially love it when used with lots of gorgeous textures, lace, wood, textured paper stock. With a couple of pale neutral shades it keeps it so much more interesting that straight forward black and white (sorry to all you die hard b&w lovers!!).

Photos from top left; Girl in lace dress | Olivia Graham, Houndstooth suit | Jessica Claire, Bouquet | unknown source

2nd row; Invite | via Martha Stewart Weddings, Compasses | unknown source

3rd row; Dressing room | via Style Notes, Birds eggs | Fraeulein Klein, Bridal Party |

Board #127: Feathers & Lace

Here we are at Monday morning again!! Did you have a nice weekend? Yesterday was a gorgeous warm autumn day here, which was lovely after all the rain we've had lately. Perfect chance to get out in the garden and tidy it up for winter. It actually got really hot out there. Wouldn't this colour scheme be perfect for a cozy winter wedding? I just love that flower arrangement with the feathers and the subtle touch of red in it. It seems to me like it would take pride of place in a hunting lodge... which I think would make for the most amazing winter wedding venue, imagine the fun you could have with that 'theme'. Here's hoping your week is off to a good, productive start!

Photos from top left; Flower arrangement | Poppies & Posies, Fork on Lace | via IloveLolliblog, Books | unknown source, Couple with Tram | Victor Sizemore

2nd row; Couple with heart sign | Susan Stripling via Green Wedding Shoes , Bouquet | via Once Wed

3rd row; Cabin | Kyle Hale via 100 Layer Cake , Fruit | Gemma Comas, Dress | unknown source

Board#112: Great Gatsby

Morning!! Here we are at Monday morning again! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend... mine was great.. thanks for asking :-) A very satisfying weekend with lots achieved which is always a good way to kick start the week... even some hardcore (that's a stretch!!) gardening in the rain!! Whilst we're still a fair way of winter with the rainy weekend we've just had, I had a glimpse of what's in store for us in a few months and this board just makes me thing of a cozy rainy winter afternoon in a gorgeous old English mansion, with an open fire roaring, men smoking cigars, women dressed up to the nines... you get the picture. It's the rich colours and the detailed carpets... would be such a fabulous colour scheme for a winter wedding!

Photos from top left; Bride on couch | Smitten Photography via Style Me Pretty, Books | Max Attenborough, Black Tins | Heather Banks via Style Me Pretty

2nd row; Boutonniere | unknown source, Chandelier | Photography by M Conz

3rd row; Groom in bow tie | Smitten Photography via Style Me Pretty, Bride | unknown source

The week in review...

This has been one of those weeks where I've been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, not knowing quite what to do next (of course that really wasn't helped yesterday by having to water 350m of freshly laid concrete every hour!! Yes you did read that correctly! Who knew? I can now tick that one off my list! Unfortunately by the time I got to the end it was almost time to start again... who needs that on a crazy busy day?) You know the kind of week you complain about but thrive on at the same time. I've felt so utterly and incredibly overwhelmed with so much positive feedback and lovely comments from you all this week after the feature in Utterly Engaged and of course the blogging relay that was Elegant Decay yesterday, so today I'd like to send out a HUGE thank you to all my lovely readers and in particular fellow bloggers who never fail to leave lovely positive feedback for me!!

Due to the afore mentioned busy-ness, I haven't got anything prepared for today's post so apologies to those of you who have already seen and commented on this elsewhere. This was a recent invite I worked on which was featured earlier in the week on the fabulous paperie blog Oh So Beautiful Paper, and for a recent guest post over at my pal Naomi's blog I created this inspiration board around it. All based on Vintage Love Letters it's definitely one of my favourites!

Have a wonderful sunny Friday! Kxo

{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#86: Trick or Treat

As we get ever closer to Halloween I thought I'd inject a little trick or treat goodness into the blog. Now I have to say that Halloween isn't the big deal it is in the US here in New Zealand. Sure kids go trick or treating and there are a few people that embrace it, but no where near to the same extent. The fact that we're on daylight savings and it's warming up doesn't really add to the spooky mystical feel of the holiday... and it's the wrong time of year for pumpkins which doesn't help! You can get them but not in large pumpkin patches. (I may be mistaken on this... if anyone knows of one in NZ please let me know!) 
I'm guessing there aren't too many of you out there that are going to have a Halloween inspired wedding but I think the below board shows you that if this is your favourite holiday you could definitely inject a little inspiration from it into your day and still have a classy looking affair! I'm not one for bright colours with black, but throw in a warm brown and the softer butter yellow together with your traditional pumpkin orange and you have a fabulous colour scheme to boot!! What do you think... would you loosely base a wedding around this look?

Check back in later for a fun Halloween love shoot!

Photos from top left; Pumpkin | Country Living, Black Dress | Jose Villa, Shot Glasses | Pottery Barn
2nd row; Bouquet & Suit | unknown, Shoes on Piano | Cameron Ingalls via 100 Layer Cake, Books | Max Attenborough
3rd row; Placesetting | Genevieve Leiper via Style Me Pretty, Bridal Party | unknown, Wooden Pumpkins | Pottery Barn

Board#76: Clock work

I don't know what's happened in the last 7-10 days but it seems that all of a sudden wedding season is in full force for me. Everything was ticking along at a nice steady pace and wham.... it's here. I don't know about you but I'm super, SUPER excited about daylight savings beginning this weekend!! I'd love to say we'll be out enjoying the lighter evenings and warmer weather but with the September we've had thus far it's not looking overly promising. Rain every day without fail! We're due a good dry spell I'd say:-)
Onto today's board... I'm yet to tire of the yellow/grey trend that's been around for the past couple of seasons, and it can be translated so many different ways from retro modern, to casual whimsy. For this board I've used more of an ochre shade and have added the smallest hint of terracotta into it as well which really warms it up nicely. I am loving these vintage style clocks... they'd make a gorgeous addition to your wedding decor. And the little mini compasses are just so sweet as well!
Have a fabulous Friday!!

Photos from top left; Blackboard | Belathee via Style Me Pretty, Typewriter & Clocks | unknown
2nd row; Programs | unknown, Model in field | Celebrate life via Style Me Pretty, Bouquet | Braedon Photography via Once Wed, Couple on wooden ramp | Larsson Photography
3rd row; Butterfly Placesetting by Larissa Cleveland via Snippet & Ink, Vintage Truck | Touch of Grey, Compasses | unknown

Board#54: Black & Birch

Photos from top left; Bride in Black Dress by Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty, Magnolia Bloom via Ruffled Blog, Orchid by Hana Floral Design
2nd row; Compases unknown, Birch vase Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty, Books and Flowers unknown
3rd row; Unknown, Earring by Gemma Comas, Lace & Fork via Lolliblog, Bride by Jose Villa

Board#16: Yellow & Black

I've been having a bit of a love affair with yellow for the past year. I just can't get enough of it and I love it with so many different colours. Today I'm featuring it mostly with black which looks so striking. I'd tend to throw a bit more grey in there as well - I generally prefer three colours, or at least two variations of a shade. I imagine a funky urban location for this wedding, although saying that, with those fabulous gumboots you'd be right at home in a big ol' country barn!

I'd like to think this would brighten up your Monday morning but if you're anywhere near where I am that won't be happening! It's miserable looking out there. Daylight savings may have begun but what spring? Perhaps next week?


Top row from left: Programs photo unsure, photo by Dana & Jeremy Photography, photo of couple in forest by Modafotographica.
2nd row: unsure, Kusmi Tea, invite by Ruby & Willow
3rd row: Table setting via Martha Stewart Weddings, Daisy photo by Janne Peters

Board#11: Teal & Black

I am loving this combination, it's so striking. Very crisp and classic, yet modern all at the same time. Use different shades of teal to create depth and texture. I guess you immediately think of the sea when you use this colour but it works so well for an inner city wedding as well.






















Row 1 from left: photo by Tec Petaja, Vintage Stamps via 100 Layer Cake, photo from Martha Stewart
Row 2: photo from Martha Stewart, bride & car photo by Katie Moos
Row 4: Headband and Bird Necklace from Etsy.

Board#3: Boudoir Beauty

Palette: Shell, Black, Ivory
Think soft romantic dreamy overtones

This colour just shouts the word Boudoir...reminds me of being a kid using my Nan's powderpuffs whilst sitting at her dressing table. Does anyone have a dressing table these days? Seems like such a glamourous idea...perhaps we could start a resurgence in them! I think we could all do with a wee bit of glamour at the moment!

Board#2: Vintage Black & White

Having a classic black & ivory colour scheme is so timeless - it's striking and oh so chic and elegant! I think I'd need to have a Grand Piano playing in the background just to complete the mood!

Palette: Black & Ivory
Think Ralph Lauren, Vintage 1940's, Glamourous beading.























Row 2: far left, Ralph Lauren Home
Row 3 from left: Invitation from Kate Holland Design, Dress by Ralph Lauren
Row 4: Photo from Ralph Lauren Home, Bouquet via Style me Pretty