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

Outfit of the week - Metallics & Pleats

I think I mentioned a few weeks back that maxi skirts aren't really me... or rather don't work for me, but I so wish they did. Firstly they seem like the most comfortable option to spend the day in, and secondly when they have lovely pleats like this they're just so pretty!! Throw on a pair of pretty sandals and a simply tank and you're good to go!!

Click here to see other posts in this series

Outift of the week - Metallics and Pleats

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

Board#148: Coral & Mustard

Wow, what a slack blogger I've been!! I think this has been my longest silence yet!! But I missed you so thought I'd better pop in before the week was out! I've just been so overwhelmed with things I needed it to take a back seat whilst I did my best to get up to speed with the day job. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has these moments in their business. I'd love to hear how others of you out there cope with incredibly busy schedules... have you just learnt to say no? I think that's something I need to learn... in a hurry! Any tricks for time management? I'm all ears!!
I know the colours for this board look quite summery but I think they could also be carried over for an early autumn wedding. It all depends on how you use them. Bringing in different textures will differentiate between a summer and autumn feel. Make the most of the beautiful foliage around at that time of year and incorporate it into your bouquet and decor. And of course having a cute floral umbrella on hand like this isn't a foolish idea with the unpredictable weather during this time of year.

Photos from top left; Coral & Mustard dresses | Stephanie Rausser, Stripy bowtie | Anna Kuperberg, Yellow shoes | Sara Grey

2nd row; Coke bottles | TerraDawn Photography, Lamps | Macs Ale House

3rd row; Bride with umbrella | Anahi Navarro, Chair | Souder Photography, Suit | unknown

{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#67: Salmon & Lace

Welcome to another Monday morning... hope you had a nice weekend. I had an all too brief visit to the country yesterday where I got to feed some sheep and a interesting looking little fella called a Kunekune pig (bread roll for his dessert.. nom, nom). As much as I love city living, there's always been more than a little bit of a country girl in me, and this short visit has made me even more anxious to get into our new little place (only 10 weeks to go!!), not sure if we'll have room for a Kunekune, but perhaps a little lamb to keep the grass short?
Anyway onto today's board which is about as far away from pigs as you can get... I'm sure I've mentioned my love of this colour combination more than once, and I think it'll be a while before I tire of it. It's so feminine and pretty without having to be overly girly. Suitable for both a beach or a garden wedding, I think it's a winning combination. Have a great week folks!

Photos from top left: Invitation by Ruby & Willow, Photo by Jose Villa, Lace Ring Cushion via Once Wed
2nd row; Lace Votives via Sunday Suppers, Groom by Union Photography, Bride & Groom by Aaron Delesie, Dahlia Boutonniere via The Brides Cafe
3rd row; Bridal Party by Erin hearts Court, Lace image by Janne Peters, Invitation by Ruby & Willow

Board#60: Summer Fruits

Morning folks!! Did you all have a nice weekend? Did anyone attend a winter wedding? After the glorious weekend we had in Auckland I've already got summer on the brain, and with the nights getting just the tiniest bit longer it feels like it's on the not too distant horizon! Yay!! This board reflects the watermelon obsession I've been having since we returned from Hawaii, not only the taste of it (in a cocktail with vodka and mint crushed over ice please!) but the colour of it for a fun summer wedding. Kind of coral with a little more red. I'm loving it with the soft yellow tones shown here. A table set up with your favourite beverages is a must have, as well as the basket of parasols to shade from the summer heat... and of course just to ensure you're looking chic. What other colours would you pair it with?


Photos from top left; Beverages unknown, Bride against yellow wall by Stephanie Williams, Bouquet by Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty, Parasols by Meg Smith,
2nd row; Table setting via In Style Weddings, Watermelon Juice via My Recipes
3rd row; Bridesmaids by Meg Smith, Menu via Style Me Pretty, Tulips & Pears via Sunday Suppers

Board#57: Coral Sweetness

Today's board was completely inspired by the colour scheme of Briohny's Hanalei Invitations. It's not a colour combination you see often but it works so well together, and it's kind of an unexpected look for a tropical affair which is what I love about it. What do you think? How would you use these colours together?


Top photo from left; Hanalei Invitation by Ruby & Willow, Calligraphy by Kathryn Murray, Coral Dresses unknown
2nd row; Beverages and Menu via Style Me Pretty, Bride & Groom by Picotte Photography via Wedding Chicks
3rd row; Tropical cocktail by Jose Villa via Wedding Chicks, Wraps unknown, Bridesmaids by Erin hearts Court

Board#38: Cocktails and Coral

Morning friends!! Mid-March already, can you believe it? I hope you all had a great weekend. We went out for dinner to celebrate the anniversary, and enjoyed a sensational meal at The Grove in Auckland. Highly recommended for a special occasion! And if you do ever go, you just have to try the caramelised banana galette, with banana ice-cream and maple. I could quite happily have that every day for the rest of my life!
Cocktails on the lawn for a wedding celebration sounds like a mighty fine idea to me. And I think our Dauphine invitation suite would suit it perfectly. A little vintage, a little girly and very chic. I'm still loving the trend of bridesmaids in different shades/hues, shown perfectly here in a wide range of corals, pinks and oranges. And for an autumn/fall wedding, pairing the coral with a rich chocolate brown gives a nice warmth to it.

Coming up....the winner of our 'name that invite' competition!



Photos from top left: Dauphine Invitation from Ruby & Willow, dress photo unknown, Fruit Cocktails via A Practical Wedding
2nd row; Dress by Kate Dowman, Cocktails and Mens Suit via Martha Stewart Weddings,
3rd row; Shoes by Simply Bloom, Coral Dresses via Martha Stewart Weddings

Board#12: Seafoam & Coral

This is my favourite colour scheme at the moment, it's so fresh and pretty and unexpected. So many different shades of coral to play with and the seafoam tones compliment it perfectly. Perfect for a spring or summer wedding, imagine how much fun you would have dressing bridesmaids in these colours - perhaps using both, or in different shades of the one. Different styles of dresses would look great too.