Board#230: Ferns & Mojitos

So this week has been one of sitting in traffic, trying to find a carpark, wading through the people in the mall in the search for the perfect presents!! Actually it really hasn't been all that bad. I've spent less time at my computer in the past few days than I have in months and months, and I plan to continue along that merry road for a bit. At this time of year burn out hits, so some time out is needed!! Finally finally yesterday I got our tree up - yep the house smells of lovely delicious pine  - and put a few Christmassy touches around the place. I may.... just may, get in the kitchen and do a bit of Christmas baking yet (problem I have with that is that I want to eat it all before I give it out!)

This board just has a hint of Christmas in it to allude to what's all around us right now. Although if you're sitting in snow reading this (ok not literally :-) it probably looks quite foreign to you, and oddly enough even though I've grown up with Christmas in the summer, I still think it should be all cozy in the snow!! Right now it's very sticky and humid here, so a world away from the lovely winter scenes that I have filling up my Instagram feed these days!

Photos from top left; Wreath via Martha Stewart (photo by Seth Smoot), Mojitos | Linda Wagner, Bouquet | Jessica Claire, Fern poster | via Letterology, Cinnamon | , Save the Date | Ruby & Willow, Bride | via Delphine Manivet, Advent Calender | Rue Magazine, Styling by Marysia Dobrzanska, Photo by Emily Johnston Anderson

Board#226: Blissful Bali

I hope you're feeling a little zen this Friday morning, cause we're taking our inspiration from Bali today. Not so much the bright vibrant colours of Bali, but more the natural ones that are found in the landscape. Obviously I'm in need of a holiday I think! I've travelled a lot but have never been to Bali... believe me it's on the list! I think it would be such an incredible destination spot for a wedding. Where would be your dream wedding destination?

Photos from top left; Cake | Jose Villa, Bride | Aaron Delesie , Lanterns on Staircase | Erin hearts Court, Bride & Groom | The Knot, Chair decoration and Lily Pads | Aaron Delesie, Bride & Groom | Jonas Peterson

Board#224: Spring Blues

I don't know about you but boy am I glad to see Friday here... in fact I'll be even more happy at the end of the day! Been a wee bit of a challenging week. Lots on, lots happening, and then night before last hubby got a lovely dose of food poisoning in the middle of the night, resulting in very little sleep for both of us, and consequently me walking around like a zombie for most of the day! Might have to try and book in for a little pampering over the weekend me thinks!!

Happy Thanksgiving to my North American friends!!!

Photos from top left; Bridesmaids | The Youngrens, Cake | Jose Villa, Flowers | Ingrid Henningsson, Dress | Laura Murray, Groom | Desi Baytan, Cookies | Just call me Martha, Bouquet of Orchids | Martha Stewart Weddings, Lace | Janne Peters, Bouquet with blue ribbon | Martha Stewart Weddings

Board#220: Dahlia Delight

Sometimes it just takes a couple of small touches of colour in your wedding palette to elevate it from dull to delightful (although being a big fan of neutrals I am in no way saying that having no colour is dull... quite the opposite!). I love how this otherwise classic green and white look is just lifted with a couple of pops of red in some of the details. And of course you could substitute that red for any colour under the sun. If you follow me on facebook you would have seen me post this gorgeous bouquet by the fabulous Jacin of Lovely Little Details and I just had to whip up a board based on it!

Photos from top left; Bouquet | Jacin Fitzgerald, Ivy Basket | , Boutonniere | , Wooden Sign | , Sign with flowers | , Old Letters | , Wreath | , Couple | Jana

California picnic wedding by Alders Photography

Wow this week is flying... can't believe it's already Thursday! Things are getting very busy heading into the wedding season with invitations! And I've been receiving so many fabulous submissions of late... thank you so much to all the wonderfully talented people sending them in! Yesterday was my biggest day on the blog ever so another huge thank you to everyone who visits every day to read! Virtual hugs all round :-)

Today's lovely wedding comes from Jenny of Alders Photography in California. When BREN designer Brie Maletz recently wed the man of her dreams, it was only fitting that the event included the perfect attention to details that her and identical twin sister, Jenny Maletz, dedicate to their LA based clothing line. 

Brie & Tom's beautiful wedding, which captured the vibe of an elegant picnic, took place at Maravilla Gardens. With Tom originally from England, the couple really wanted to embrace the ambiance of an English afternoon tea garden. From baby's breath bouquets and lemon centerpieces, to croquet during the reception and Pimm's as the signature cocktail, the bride's homemade scones with jam and the London Cab exit car made for a very well-executed wedding theme! The entire event included many significant personal touches as well. The groom's sister and mother made the lemon wedding cake and the bride's mom and cousin played the guitar and sang for the couple's first dance as husband and wife. In addition, the bride and her identical twin sister, Jenny, own a women's fashion line, BREN, so the bridesmaid's dresses were all their design. The groom's suit was also custom designed by Jenny's boyfriend, Micah, the owner of Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen. Quite the creative family if you ask me!

Photography | Alders Photography, Venue | Maravilla Gardens, Bride's Dress | Jenny Packham, Bridesmaid Dresses | BREN, Groom's Tuxedo | Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen, Bride's Shoes | Badgley Mischka, Bride's Hair and Makeup | Miho Suzuki, Bridesmaid's Hair | Sara Loesel, Florist | Rockrose Floral, DJ | Elegant Entertainment, Caterer | Command Performance

Board#217: Spring Sage

Sadly we can't quite be celebrating spring around here yet but any day now surely (yes there is more than a hint of begging in that sentence!!). Doesn't this make for the most serene colour palette for your wedding? I can see this being used across a broad range of wedding styles; from a beach wedding to a vineyard wedding, and even a more modern industrial theme. The white flowers en masse are just sensational!! 

I'm taking the day off to spend with my 10 year old niece whilst it's school holidays so we'll be off having fun and exploring with Charlie somewhere!!

Photos from top left; Bouquet | Aaron Delesie, Calligraphy | Linea Carta, Olive Centrepiece | Punam Bean, Magnolia in book | Jemma Keech, Sage dress | Lisa Warninger (styling Chelsea Fuss), Bridesmaids | You look nice today

Board#211: Figs & Berries

I'll never tire of the addition of fruit in bouquets and centrepieces. This incredible centrepiece by Amy Merrick combines apples with ferns and lotus pods and a myriad of other pretty blooms. Ok so not ALL fruits can work (bananas would be somewhat ridiculous don't you think... although quite sure somewhere somehow it's been done!!), but berries, figs, apricots, peaches, oranges, lemons... I've seen them all used to great effect. And you can carry it through to other areas of your table decor as well.

Photos from top left; Figs | Chris Court, Centrepiece | Amy Merrick, Bridesmaids | Natalie Norton, Bride with lace cap | Twigs & Honey, Macarons | via Inspired by This, Berry Cake | Kate Osborne, Pink Anthurium | Janne Peters, Green Tie | Lisa Lefkowitz

Board#210: Blue Emerald

Happy Friday everyone! How has your week been? We seemed to have turned a bit of a corner with puppy Charlie, who is now making life a little easier for us and letting her Mummy get a bit more work done... thank goodness!! And we've found a puppy friend a few houses away so I can have a cuppa and a chat for half an hour while the pups romp on the grass and wear each other out. It's perfect!! We had a fun {MAG}rouge shoot midweek too... only a few weeks off Issue 4's launch day!! I hope you have some lovely plans for the weekend. K xo

Photos from top left; Green & Blue Kitchen | Christopher Drake via Design Sponge, Striped Tie | Leo Patrone, Blue Building | via Art n Light Blog, Blue Shoes | Denise Bovee, Couple in green room | Tec Petaja, Cake | Martha Stewart, Bouquet | Polly Alexandre, Daffodils | Jose Villa

Colour Study | Green with Cornflower & Honeydew

Happy Weekend everyone!! Do you have anything nice planned? We have a dinner with some lovely friends on Saturday night, and a couple of puppy walks I'm sure but the rest of it will be spent charging along with Issue four of {MAG}rouge. I'll leave you with a bit of fresh green and blue colour inspiration, love greens in this combo... hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Board#207: Country Chic

I'm dying over that big long banquet table!! Isn't is just divine? Throw in some lovely lantern light and some dinner plate size dahlias and you have yourself a perfect reception look if you ask me! Oh and a donkey perhaps?

Photos from top left: Centrepiece by Amy Merrick Florist, Hanging Lights | Pottery Barn, Donkey | Vela Images, Chair details | Martha Stewart Weddings, Bride & Groom | Vela Images, Banquet Table | We love Pictures, Cake | 509 Photo

Colour Study | Green with Chartreuse & Sienna

Well happy Saturday to you all!! What a fabulous finish to the week we've had here in NZ with 2 gold medals in the rowing late last night. Very exciting!! And on top of that I hit 3000 likers over on facebook and it's been by far the biggest week on the blog ever! I'm overwhelmed at all the positive feedback and support you give me and it's ever so much appreciated!! I hope you have some nice plans for the weekend? We will be laying low and having a quiet one... I'll be trying to catch up for lost work hours during the week due to a puppy who just doesn't want to relax. If you follow me on Instagram (@rubywillow) you will have seen the sad wee thing having just been spayed with a big plastic collar round her neck... which as you can imagine she doesn't much like! So lots of puppy cuddles for us this weekend!

I love the combination of this kelly green with a chartreuse shade... not two shades you'd naturally think to put together, but in my opinion it works. Your thoughts? 

To see the rest of the posts in this series click here.

Photos; Tablesettings | Roger Davies via Country Living, Chartreuse Dress | La Dolce Vita via Project Wedding

Colour Study | Green with Tutu & Watermelon

It's been months and months since I posted a Colour Study Series post, so I think I need to start them up again. I've covered red, yellow, orange and blue, so next up is green... which since it's my favourite colour means I could probably pair it umpteen different ways. But for today it's a very pretty girly look with a tutu pink, and a lovely watermelon shade. Have a great Friday everyone! xo

To see the rest of the posts in the series click here.

Invitation: Birdsong

Board#203: Green Manor

How is your week going? I'm so glad it's warmed up a bit and not so hideously cold at the moment. I'd like to think we're through the worst of winter and on the downhill run to spring so here's hoping!You really can't go wrong with a clean green palette, and there are so many shades and textures within nature to use, it is anything but one dimensional. I love using it with natural burlap and twine, but it doesn't necessarily have to be rustic, it can be quite polished if you use lots of white and perhaps a touch of black. It's such a timeless look don't you think?

Photos from top left; Wreath | Katherine Holly, Atlanta History Centre, Tablesetting | via Veranda Mag, Table for two | Elizabeth Messina, Invitation | Ruby & Willow, Flower girls | Rebecca Hansen, Bride | Ali Harper, Bridesmaids | Joey & Jessica, Tent | Alexandra Kolendrianos

Board#200: Afternoon Delight

We got back from our lovely weekend break to Melbourne last night, and were very happily reunited with Charlie who went a little nuts when she saw us!! Although it would seem she was thoroughly spoilt by Jon's parents while we were away! It's crazy how much we missed her over three days... I hate to think how many times we talked about her and wondered what she was doing. A wee bit obsessed perhaps? Are all you puppy owners out there like this? 

Well we're about half way through winter now and I'm hanging out for the days to start getting a bit longer and warmer. I'm loving the idea of a fun afternoon soiree dressed up in pretty frocks (love that word!!), sipping yummy cocktails and nibbling tasty treats off pretty vintage crockery. Sound pretty appealing huh?

Photos from top left; Vintage plate | Claire Mossong, Table setting | Jose Villa via Once Wed, Shoes | Claire Mossong, Drinks | via Pippin Hill Farm Website, Girls dancing | Leo Patrone, Stationery | Linea Carta, Pink Cocktails | White Loft Studio, Strawberrys | My Tartlette

Board#189: Spring Fling

Ahh Spring... it's anything but spring like out doors right now, and whilst it's months of coldness away for us in the Southern Hemisphere I'm already dreaming of it! And what better way with a fresh kelly green and aqua colour palette. What colours get you in the mood for spring?

Photos; Bird Display | Olaf Szczepaniak, Cake | Martha Stewart, Mini Daffodils & Shoes | Jose Villa, Door | Simply Bloom, Asparagus | Tina Rupp, Chrysanthemum | Kate Parker, Martha Stewart, Fan | Martha Stewart Weddings, Baby's breath | Click Photo, Tie | Leo Patrone

Green & White Dining Style

A couple of weeks back I posted my new dining room cabinet with a neutral and white palette... well I've changed things up a bit and it's now a fresh green and white look... since summer arrived about 3 months late I figured I might as well make the most of it feeling so warm and bright. I think it's probably time to do the ol' switcheroo again though now that it's turning cooler. Thinking a rustic autumn palette may be in order. This is the very reason I wanted a unit like this so I could have fun mixing it up!

Here's wishing you a lovely weekend!! And especially to my clients Tait & Nikki who are getting married today... it makes me so happy when the sun is shining on a client's wedding day!

Once Upon a Time Inspiration Board...

I had the honour of guest posting over on Glamour & Grace last week with this board inspired by the fairytale like Herb & Daisy shoot we did for {MAG}rouge. I imagine lots of fun and playful food options like the cute gingerbread house we had. Daisies add such a homegrown whimsical touch; incorporate them into your bouquet with other garden picked blooms, or have little pots of them dotted on the tables. There is so much inspiration to be found in the amazing illustrations of the books of our childhoods, perhaps use your favourite one for to kick start the creative process.

Photos from top left; Model with bouquet | Sutherland Kovach for {MAG}rouge, Log Cabin | Max Wanger, Gingerbread House & Menu | Judit Meron for {MAG}rouge (photo by Sutherland Kovach), Daisies | Jessica Claire, Boutonniere | Cameron Ingalls, Flower girls | Bradeon Flynn, Cider | via Eat Drink Pretty, Floral Letter | Stout Photography, Girls in forest | Elizabeth Messina

Board#181: Blueberry Woods

Why hello there!! Boy this puppy business takes up a LOT of time doesn't it? Between playing and cleaning up and searching for her... well my computer time is seriously reduced. Although that's probably a good thing as it stops me sitting for too long and gets me up and outside for regular breaks. 

I adore the woodsy feeling of this board... and I love the fern incorporated in that bouquet at the top. You don't see ferns used a lot these days but it's such a lovely way to bring the outdoors in. 

Photos from top left; Blueberries | Rikki Snyder, Fern Bouquet | via Green Wedding Shoes, Green Tie | General Knot & Co, Girl in blue quilt | Anna Kern, Model in green dress | Stephanie Williams for Ruche | Anemones | Cameron Ingalls, Check shirt & logs | Kristin Vining, Cushions on swing | Loreta Blog

Board#178: Lush Greens

Morning everyone! Did you have a lovely weekend? It was a beautiful weekend here, although I didn't get to enjoy too much of it outside as we were full on with {MAG}rouge bootcamp all weekend putting the magazine together... and today we have our final photoshoot so it's all coming together nicely! I've had bad luck with the sunny weekends this summer, not being able to get out in them... I swear it's the most untanned I've ever been throughout a summer (telling myself that can only be a good thing right?).

You all know that I love green so I thought a board full of lush vibrant greens was just the ticket. Mixed with lots of fresh whites or ivory, and some earthy tones, this is one of my dream palettes!

Photos from top left; Hammock | Braedon Flynn, Peony Bouquet | unknown source, Bride | Shelley Kroeger (dress Monique Lhuillier), Invite | Birdsong by Ruby & Willow, Placesetting | Jo Tyler, Queen Anne's Lace Bouquet | Karen Wise, Cake | Marianne Wilson, Bouquet | Ivory Boutonniere | Caroline Ghetes

Croatian wedding by Carmen & Ingo Photography

Today is a little bit of enviable travel inspiration mixed in with some stunning wedding inspiration... a perfect combination if you ask me!! This stunning Croatian wedding is from my lovely friends Carmen & Ingo Photography. Looking at these shimmering blue seas has me salivating for the summer we never had!! And check out the brides entrance on that boat... I love it!

Steffi & Alex go to Croatia on holiday each year so it was an obvious choice for their destination wedding. Steffi did a lot of DIY; the bunting, the candy bar signs, the ring holder and more... all made by themselves. Looks like they had an amazing day!