{Guest Post} La Petite Coquin

For anyone who follows Lena's blog La Petite Coquin you'll know that she's the queen of cocktails... seriously this lady has one heck of a cocktail repertoire!! So it was only fitting that I ask her to share one with you all whilst I'm probably sipping one of the very same around a pool (here's hoping!).

From Lena: The Mai Tai gets a pretty bad rap for being this horrifyingly sweet concoction only someone on vacation could or should ever go near. In fact, tiki drinks are held in pretty low esteem, but San Franciscans love them. Maybe it's because we have 4 or 5 days of summer spread throughout the entire year, but we can't seem to resist a vacation in a glass. And with Kate away on holiday (can Americans get away with calling it that?), I thought the perfect way for us to join her, at least in spirit, was with a Mai Tai!

Mai Tai

2 oz aged rum

3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice

1/2 oz orange curacao

1/4 oz orgeat syrup

1/4 oz simple syrup

1/2 oz dark rum

Photo; Beachbum Berry

Combine aged rum, lime, curacao, orgeat and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a lowball or decorative glass filled with crushed ice. Top with 1/4 to 1/2 oz of dark rum. Garnish with a lime wheel and a sprig of mint.

Notes: Trader Vic had some pretty specific liquors and syrups in mind when he first crafted his Mai Tai, but nearly every one is a challenge to find. I love Barbancourt aged rum, so that's what we have on hand at the house, but feel free to use whatever you've got stocked in your cabinet or find at the store. As for the dark rum, hunt for Myer's Jamaican rum. Orange curacao can easily be the Grand Marnier from last year's Christmas flambé, or a simple bottle of triple sec, and finally, you can substitute orgeat syrup, which is hard to find outside of cocktail meccas like San Francisco, for almond syrups from Monin or Torani. Cheers, everyone!

{Guest Post} Forget Me Knot Weddings

I'm thrilled to have Megan guest post for me today... she's such a clever wee thing, so much so she's just made the big leap and started her own event company, Enjoy Events!! Be sure to head over and check out her fabulous blog. Congrats Megan!

 

Hi Everyone! Megan here from forget me knot weddings!!  When Kate asked me to come up with a little something for her 2nd blog anniversary I of course jumped at the opportunity to celebrate with her! To celebrate in style we are all about bright pops of hues and color blocking.  I hope this inspiration board finds you all in the mood to create something festive + fun!  A big happy anniversary to kate and we can't wait to see what creative designs you come up with next!!

images via {dress, dinner table, paper decor, door, cake, gifts, plates, swimming pool}

{Guest Post} Postcards & Pretties

I don't think there has ever been a post on Postcards & Pretties that I didn't like... Chris has such exquisite taste so it was only natural I ask her to do a guest post for my 'birthday week' and I knew you'd be in safe hands!! And on top of that she has become a valued friend despite having never met her in person! Over to Chris...

Hello Magnolia Rouge readers!!!

I'm Chris from Postcards & Pretties and I'm thrilled to be here helping Kate celebrate her two year blogaversary. I'm always inspired by Kate's beautiful work and I'm so happy to have her as a friend. So when she asked if I would guest post I jumped at the chance. Kate's a huge fan of neutrals and I knew that this board had to be a subtle color palette but had to have some amazing texture with feathers. 

{colors} fair pink, navy, gray & white

{photos} heels {dress, design and decor} feather clutch {this is glamorous} bouquet {martha stewart weddings} feather boutonniere {rebecca thuss} feather cape {asos} cabinet {this is glamorous} hair accessory {twigs & honey} stacked books {lanalou style} bottles {martha stewart weddings} centerpiece {brides} pretzels {eva lindh} 

Thank you so much for having me here today, Kate! 

Guest Post on Forget me knot Wedddings

I'm visiting Forget me knot Weddings today... head over and say hi and check out Megan's fabulous blog!

Guest Post on She Said Yes (#Fall Inspiration)

It's a double inspiration board day... head over to Jacin's blog {She said Yes} to see my contribution to her Fall Inspiration Series.. and while you're there stay a while to check out all the other stunning guest posts.

{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

{Guest Post} The Ivory Dahlia

I have a treat for you this morning with a guest post from a fabulous local wedding blog The Ivory Dahlia. I first 'met' Laura this time last year when I designed her wedding stationery for her, and since then her and Helen have begun their lovely blog full of gorgeous inspiration. Thanks girls for being my first local guest bloggers !!

The Ivory Dahlia girls LOVE inspiration boards, and Magnolia Rouge. So it is only fitting that we create a yummy, scrummy inspiration board for all of you loyal Magnolia Rouge readers. Summer is slowly creeping up on us, and this can mean.... well, one of many things. But most importantly it means outdoor weddings!
Take advantage of the natural beauty of summertime, and keep it simple with complimentary summer colours and woody tones.
Flowers do the talking in summer, so draw in the colour to your wedding with scattered, loose floral arrangements on rustic tables. Keep it charming with crisp white table cloths, and hanging garlands galore!
We adore the quirky bridal party photo below, definitely a Wedding trend I love!
Big thanks to Kate for asking us to guest post on her blog. Take care loves, and we hope you enjoy the delicious eye candy below!

links; flowers, heart garlands, bow ties, melon balls, invitations, table, masked bridal party, bride and groom, lollipop girl

{Guest Post} Valley & Co

I'm so happy to have the wonderful & dynamic planning duo of Nick & Aleah from Valley & Co doing a guest post for me today (especially as I'm writing this on my phone and facing a few more days without Internet connection - grrr!!). As well as planning and creating fabulous weddings they write a blog that is full of advice, wedding tips, decor finds and the most delicious food options. Be sure to head over and check out more of their work. Thanks you two!!! xo

Valley & Co. Tips: Let Them Eat Well!

We are Aleah + Nick Valley of Valley & Co. and we're excited to guest blog for our sweet pal, Kate! Today we roundup an assortment of fun food-inspired ideas to tie into your big day. Our couples are all so unique and have the most fun {and delicious} tastes and desires but often get stuck on how to bring in their favorite dishes or drinks into their celebration in a cohesive way. Here are some of our favorite, easy ways:

Considering offering guests a tasty treat upon arrival to your ceremony. Stage a sweet sideboard with a help-yourself station displaying your favorite non-alcoholic drink like apple cider for a fall bash or watermelon lemonade for a summertime fête {don't want guests getting tipsy before you say I Do!} and some assorted candies to nosh on. If the groom loves sea salted caramels or other specialty candies, have them on display!

Image via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Once it's sealed with a kiss offer tray passed water, wine, and your favorite drinks with hors d' oeuvres. If you share a love of macaroni and cheese but don't want to offer it up at your dinner, arrange for your caterer to whip up some gourmet mac-n-cheese bites for guests to enjoy {why not provide your favorite recipe?}. Be sure to have your catering team tell guests they're having "Grandma's special mac" if you used her recipe!

Mac and cheese on a stick found here Mac and cheese in ramekin here

While we love traditional wedding cake, treat your guests to a rolling dessert cart {European style!} après-dinner. Think crème brûlée, gelato, or your favorite brownies! If you want to keep tradition around, pass around dessert shots before you cut the cake!

Image from our couples Amy + Jimmy's wedding {yum!} via Narrative Images

It's all about bringing in elements of what you both love into your wedding day {especially if they're tasty elements!}. Not only will this ensure your day is a reflection of you, but you'll seal your celebration as extra-personal.



How will you be tying in your favorite foods in your celebration?

Thank you so much, Kate for having us guest blog!

Guest Post on Sparkle & Hay

I'm guest blogging over at Erin's fabulous blog today whilst she's on her mini-moon... check out Sparkle & Hay for plenty of rustic goodness!

{Guest Post} Luna & Chloe Weddings

I told you I had an AMAZING post lined up for you right? Kristi from Luna & Chloe Weddings has become such a lovely friend and I'm beyond delighted to have her keep you company for the day. She is filled to the brim with crazy talent as is evident below. I seriously can't get over the effort she's put into this post, it's full of beautiful inspiration as is her blog... be sure to check it out!! Thanks Kristi xo

I am over the moon to be guest posting for Kate while she is busy moving.  And because I just adore Kate and her blog, I wanted to create something special for her and you, her lovely readers. Kate inspires me everyday with all her amazing posts...especially her inspiration boards.  I keep telling her that one of these days I am going to do a photoshoot inspired from one of them.  I just don't know how I will ever decide...because, seriously, I love them all.

I did however do a little photoshoot for you today.  My original inspiration came from a calendar.  As I was sitting there looking at one for 2011, I kept thinking - there are twelve months in a year...perfect for twelve long tables at a wedding - one for each month!  But what I really love about calendars are the pictures, and the one that I picked up had flowers...so why not use a flower for each table...and viola my photoshoot was born.  The one great thing about calendars, whether you use the months or just the pictures, is that after a couple months into a new year they are usually on sale...so not only does it look pretty, but it's cost effective.  I would buy 13 calendars - that way you could seat 12 at one table, and use one for each table marker (works up to 144 people).  Okay, enough with the talk...let's get to the good stuff...

 

I love an element of surprise...so for the escort cards I decided to put the table the guest is seated at inside an envelope.  I added a couple buttons and a tie to dress it up a bit.  And why not file that envelope in a file holder!  It's like getting a great piece of mail in a way, and who doesn't love that?  Keeping with the whole theme, I decide to use envelopes to hold the menu cards as well.  I just cut off the flap of the envelope and added some twine. 

For a different take on table centerpieces, I decided to go with a cake.  So each cake can be cut into 12 pieces, and each table gets there own. (I have to mention here that JJ and BC, Mr. Big's kids, helped me make the cake!  It was also supposed to be 4 layers but Cole, the cat, decided he liked it too...he jumped up on the counter and helped himself while it was cooling.  He's never done that before.  I do have to admit that he ended up with timeout for quite a while for that stunt...bad kitty. LOL!)  I love the way the knitting needles hold the table marker, don't you?

~ Ciao
...concept, design, styling, flower arrangements and photography all by luna and chloe weddings

Guest Post on Enchanted Dream Weddings

I'm guest posting on my friend Naomi's blog today. Head over to Enchanted Dream Weddings to check it out (and leave me some love if you feel so inclined :-)

Guest Post: Hi-Fi Weddings

I have a real treat for you on this Friday morning (Thursday? whatever day it is where you are!). The very gorgeous Ashley from Hi-Fi Weddings is sharing a fabulous music mix with us. Now I'm the first to admit I'm a little on the naff side when it comes to music (not really in the know if you get what I mean), so that's why I rely on music gurus like Ashley to point me in directions I might otherwise never have gone! So without further adieu...

Hello lovely readers! My name is Ashley Vaughn and I'm with Hi-Fi Weddings. Kate was so generous to ask me to contribute a lil' something to her lovely blog! Today I'd like to share with you the mix my husband and I made for our four year anniversary this year! Music was a HUGE part of our wedding, and what we actually spent the most time on. And over at Hi-Fi Weddings, that's what we care about the most - your Big Day Soundtrack!

Four years ago I said "I do" to my best friend. These past years have been nothing short of a whirlwind of excitement and clarity and love. 6 years ago I heard Andy's laugh before I ever saw his face and my heart skipped a beat. After our first conversation (about music...what else?) I was pretty hooked on this man. We ended up hanging out every single day together and became the best of friends. The friendship quickly blossomed into romance and before we knew it we were standing on the stone steps exchanging vows.

So 4 years, 3 kitties, 2 houses, and one helluva connection we are still going strong. I'm not really sure when the "honeymoon feeling" is supposed to wear off, but it feels like it's only gotten more intense. We have started two business (photo/design & a record store), restored 2 houses (one we sold to buy the one we're still working on), planted gardens, taken road trips, performed in shows, gone to festivals, started bands, started blogs (hey y'all!), and a slew of other awesome stuff. I can only anticipate what's in store for us as we continue down this path called life!

To celebrate our anniversary, we thought it would be fun to compile a mix of songs from the past four years! Each song has a memory attached to it so this was like a fun skip down memory lane!

Big Star - In the Street
Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Ladybird
The Byrds - You Ain't Going Nowhere
The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year
Smith Westerns - Imagine Pt. 3
Radiohead - Bodysnatchers
Kurt Vile - Freeway
Nobunny - Apple Tree
Diamond Rings - All Yr Songs
Pine Hill Haints - Never Gonna Die
Fresh & Onlys - Peacock & Wing
M.I.A. - Pull up the People
The Botticellis - Awaiting on you All
Dutchess and the Duke - Reservoir Park
The Moldy Peaches - Steak for Chicken
King Tuff - Sun Medallion
The Cool Kids - What Up Man
Phosphorescent - I Gotta Get Drunk
King Khan & BBQ - Love You So
Thomas Function - Waverly
Quintron & Ms. Pussycat - Waterfall
Bonnie Prince Billy - I Am Goodbye
The Pica Beats - Poor Old Ra
John Prine & Iris Dement - In Spite of Ourselves

Photo by White Rabbit Studios

Guest Post: Lanalou Style

Lanalou Style was one of the very first blogs I started to follow. Lana always has the loveliest collections of photos, and highlights some gorgeous places to visit in South Africa... I kinda want to live in her world of beautiful images. Thanks for sharing your ideal wedding with us Lana!!

Hi, I'm Lana from lanalou style and I'm very happy to be here on the lovely Magnolia Rouge! For me the ideal wedding would be set out in the countryside with lots of vintage elements, country charm and really quite simple and relaxed. Of course the sun will be shining and it will be a perfect summer's day! I've chosen a few favourite pics that sum up this feeling for me, I hope you'll enjoy them too!








Photo credits;1,3,4,5) Tec Petaja, 2,7,9) Jose Villa for 100 Layer Cake 6) Jagger Photography via green Wedding shoes, 8) Brion Hopkins via 100 Layer Cake

Guest Post: Dog n' bird

Suzy over at Dog n' bird always has the most amazing finds on her blog - seriously I don't know how she comes across so many cool things! - and I'm delighted that she's here to share a particularly cute find with you all! Thanks for sharing bird!

Some sweet typography for my Magnolia Rouge guest post. Spotted on Always a Bridesmaid these decals are made from thin sheets of edible icing paired with food-grade inks. Perfect for weddings and showers, just apply and stick on homemade or store bought cupcakes. You can request a custom motif, use your wedding monogram, or grab one of the fun designs in the store. The four looks above are from the Modern Moments Design collection, shop Hello Frosting at Etsy, under $20 for 24 decals.

Guest Post: Postcards & Pretties

I am delighted to have the very talented Chris from Postcards & Pretties do a guest post for me today. Chris creates the most amazing inspiration boards and features some very cute weddings and engagements, and if she's not on your daily reading list, she should be!! Thanks so much Chris for sharing this gorgeous board with us!

Hi everyone!!! I'm Chris from Postcards and Pretties and I'm so honored to be a guest on Magnolia Rouge. I know we are all going to terribly miss Kate while she’s away on vacation but I know she has some amazing treats for you while she’s away. Today I would like to share with you a dreamy inspiration board that is a little whimsical and girlie with light and airy palette of pale blue and soft pinks. Thank you again Kate!


photos -
potted orchid and butterfly centerpiece {martha stewart weddings}
woman with butterflies {dustjacket attic}
conche {eva lindh}
cotton candy {unknown}
blue dress {samuelle}
bouquet {utterly engaged}
radio/headphones {javiera}
dusty miller place card {country living}
cappuccino and cookies {martha stewart weddings}
butterfly cake {bridal guide}
net {coco + kelley}

Guest Post: Branco Prata

When I approached a few people about doing a guest post while I was away I thought they'd just choose something from their archives and share it with my readers.... but no, they've all gone above and beyond. Point in case, Sofia and Andre - a superbly talented trio from Portugal who form Brancoprata - actually put together and shot this inspiration especially for this post, so I'm supremely grateful to them and humbled at the effort they have gone to. Not to mention I simply love this idea! Check out their blog for oodles of daily inspiration and finds.

Hi, I'm Sofia and we are a small Portuguese company working on weddings! We do design (some stationary), decor and photography. Our gold is to do unique weddings! Our clients, for us, are the most important aspect of this industry and we always, always work for them and think about them! We don't won't to be trendy or fashionable... we just want to be truthful to what we love and care... our clients and what they envision for their big day.
We decided to do some inspiration regarding some green options when it comes to favors: "Green is Good" was the name of our inspiration!
We all know that this year one of the big trends (as favors) is plants so we decided to do not a "candy buffet" but a "plant buffet".... Different kinds of plants and bulbs displayed on a table and each guest decides what to take home...
Here we have used African violets, succulents and flower bulbs. The colors were inspired by the succulents! All the plants are from Sol Poente.

Guest Post: Fiona Andersen Photography

I know this lovely lady needs no introduction....I give you the one and only fabulous Fiona Andersen (and just so you know I paid her A LOT to say these nice things about me! A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!)

Well I am pretty thrilled to be guest blogging for the incredible Kate Holland.  Someone who's talent is beyond amazing and a girl who doesn't shy away from keeping it fierce.

It's your wedding day, your make up is perfect, your hair magically styled. The dress, the shoes. Many months has gone into the preparation for this special day. You feel beautiful, you look beautiful, and the one memory you can hold in your hands, your photos should reflect just how gorgeous you are..... so keep it fierce!
Why do we freeze when the photographer picks up their camera, our nervous giggles, awkward glances?  We don't want them to think we think were all that..... Classic tall poppy syndrome.... But ladies (and gentlemen) we do want you to smize us, pose, give us those cheeky glances, be fierce, think your all that cause hey you are all that and more. This is your day to shine and you want your photos to reflect that.  So be confident, stand tall know your beautiful and don't be afraid to show it..... Be fabulous!!