Link Love and a big virtual hug!!

It's been a while since I've sat down and looked at blogs long enough to do a link love but I escaped for a while last night to do just that so here are a few of the pretties that caught my eye. Aside from all the wedding lovelies I have to say a huge, like really HUGE thank you for all the support the blogging world has given me this week in regards to the upcoming launch of {MAG}rouge. From the bottom of the teams hearts.... we thank you and send you all a virtual hug! From your tweets, your lovely comments, to shoutouts on Facebook, and your overall excitement for us, we so so appreciate it all, and can't wait to share the journey with you!!

Right.. on with my weekend!! Have a good one people xo (by the way... I heard Christmas music yesterday!! Really? It's 6 weeks away... seems so soon! I don't imagine I'll be giving it too much thought until after that launch date!)

I've always wanted to visit Nantucket and this wedding has me ready to book a ticket!! {Photo; Sloan Photographers via Once Wed}

Check out this amazing feathery headpiece {Photo; Stacy Jacobsen via Green Wedding Shoes}

I can't tell you how much I adore everything about this bouquet! {photo; Ryan Ray via The Wedding Chicks}

 How about this dress for some ruffles? Beautiful South African wedding from Desmond Louw via The Pretty Blog

Lovely Australian vineyard wedding {photo; Adrian Tuazon via 100 Layer Cake}

Link Love

Happy long weekend people!! Well if you're in Auckland or anywhere else in New Zealand it's 100% rugby fever this weekend. The excitement in the air is palpable... there is just so much on the line. The mood of the entire country on Monday morning is wholly dependent on 80 minutes of play time tomorrow night. And if not you're from New Zealand and not familiar with the game of rugby and the fervour for which this country has for it, it is not an exaggeration when I say people the length of our small country will be plunged into mourning and depression should it not go our way!! But of course that is all moot talk as I KNOW we will win!!! (dear rugby god, please don't let me have to eat my words!!). I'm very excited for the game tomorrow night, although also nervous... never underestimate your opponent right?

Just the one lovely gem of a link for you this week from some of my favourite photographers, the lovely ladies of Simply Bloom. Isn't is stunning? Check out the more of this wedding on their blog and over on the Brides Cafe.

Enjoy the long weekend everyone and GO THE ALL BLACKS!!!!!! xo

 

Link Love

I'm really wondering how it was I had time to read blogs and comment regularly a few months back? The last few months it's just been impossible, and I kinda miss it. I need to find a way back to it. How do all you other vendors who run businesses and blogs manage it? Any tips gratefully accepted!! So today - Saturday - husb is out all day with golf and entertaining clients at the rugby (tough life he has!!) and I'm hoping to get some major blog catch up in. But not before I head off for a pampering massage.. a birthday present which I've been dying to cash in on!! And how spoilt am I... I have another one already lined up in Fiji in a weeks time!!
This weeks link loves are a lot about bridesmaids dresses... so many cute options around these days. I'm loving the shorter length ones. Have a fabulous weekend everyone xo

Doesn't this look like a cozy spot to wile away the afternoon with a good book? {photo; Logan Cole, via; Grey Likes Weddings}

How awesome are the belts on these bridesmaids dresses? And the whole wedding is so gosh darn purdy!! {photo; Austin Warnock via; Style Me Pretty}

Exquisite faux engagement shoot with a stunning couple {photo; Jose Villa, via; Once Wed}

I adore this mis-matched look for a bridesmaids party and in the prettiest colour palette {photo; Sarah Der Photography, via; Ruffled}

Another gorgeous shape dress for a beach bridesmaid {photo; Vue Photography, via; Inspired By This}

Link Love

Finally found a quiet hour to catch up on a few blog posts from the week... loving all the colour in today's links!! It's a glorious Sunday morning here and I'm off for a walk on the beach. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! K xo

Gotta get me an invite to a wedding in Tuscany... {photo; Jill Thomas via Once Wed}

Love the colours in this Puerto Rican wedding... {photo; Weddings by Two via Ruffled}

What an amazing colour for a desert wedding... {photo; Ben Christenson via 100 Layer Cake}

Simply divine shoot from the master for Rue magazine... {Jose Villa via 100 Layer Cake}

Love this bridal party attire, such a fun mix of pattern and colour...

Link Love

It was a big week around here with the launch of the new Ruby & Willow website... finally!! I know there are still a few things missing on there.... such as pricing!! But please bear with me... I'm getting to it just as fast as I can!! In the meantime you can always mail me for pricing/quotes. Yesterday I took the afternoon off to spend some quality time with my 8 year old niece which was fab... I highly recommend Kung Fu Panda II if you want some escapism! We had a fun afternoon of movies, shopping and girly time... and some good old fashioned honesty from an 8 yr old... like the fact that she doesn't think her little sister likes me!! Yep she said that. Apparently she thinks she loves me, but just doesn't like me as she never cuddles me unless the older one does! But get this... she (miss 8) didn't like me when she was 4 because I had a coldsore! For 3 months according to her young memory! Wow harsh critic. She did make up for it by saying she felt very bad hurting my feelings and now she loved me enough to make up for her sister as well. And that she just doesn't think her little sister (miss 5) has learnt to think about other people's feelings. So perceptive.

I hope you have something fun planned for a fabulous weekend! K xo

Modern black & white + rustic... done to perfection {photo; Simply Bloom}
I have no words to do this utterly sublime wedding justice {photo: Jose Villa}
Pretty Australian wedding {photo; Ngg Studios via Once Wed}
I have a think for lakeside weddings right now and this South African one is one of the prettiest I've seen {photo; Kate McCluckie via 100 Layer Cake}
Love this grooms attire... so very cool {photo; W Scott Chester via Ruffled}

Link Love

Wow, it's been a while since I've managed a Link Love post... hopefully I'll get back to doing them regularly as FINALLY this week the new website will launch!! As anyone who's done their own website will know.... it's certainly a labour of love.
I'm loving all the pretty outdoor vineyard and garden weddings I'm seeing coming out of the Northern Hemisphere right now, especially as I'm sitting here in the cold and rain (although gotta say sun is shining brilliantly right now thankfully!). But I'm really for spring summer that's for sure! 

Hope you all have a nice weekend... I'm off to do some last minute food shopping for a dinner party we're having here tonight... still haven't decided on the main and I have only hours to go! Eeek!

Who doesn't love a picnic wedding? {photo; via Ruffled}

Gorgeous old fashioned bouquets in this Vintage Chicago wedding {photo; Maggie Fortson via Hey Gorgeous}

Jacin from Lovely little details styled this fabulously pretty wedding... I think a lot of people are going to be seeking out those adorable napkin rings! {photo; Jessica Burke via Style Me Pretty}

Seriously stylish bride in this amazing Brooklyn wedding {photo; Elizabeth Millay via Style Me Pretty NY}

I love how Punam Bean documents a whole story with this Napa Valley wedding...

Link Love

I'm not entirely sure where this week as gone but I sure hope next week slows down a little. It's seriously been rather manic!! I'm writing this with hideous down load speed internet which will seriously put paid to my plans of catching up on blogs on Saturday. Seriously NZ internet is rather abysmal!! You go slightly over your month data allowance.. and wham you're back to 1999 dial up speeds! I'm thrilled to include an amazing shoot from Simply Bloom in this weeks round up, for which they used one of my inspiration boards as a starting point. I wasn't even aware until Vania sent me a sneak peek of the rabbit a few weeks back. How amazingly stunning is it?? Those girls are worth their weight in gold I tell ya. You can see more of the shoot on their blog and also over on Hey Gorgeous where Rhi features more of it.

Well the weather is as shocking as my internet speed this weekend (thankfully my new months clicks over on Sunday... a saving grace!!) so it's a good excuse to stay in and get some things done!! Have a lovely weekend peeps xo

A drop dead gorgeous gown at a stunning art decor style wedding via Style Me Pretty {photo; Kristin Weaver}
It's a bunny!!! via Simply Bloom 
Gorgeous Citrus abound via The Loveliest Day {photo; Mia Dolce Photography}
My ideal wedding location via Forget Me Knot Weddings {photos; Tinywater Photography}

Link Love

Well well well... it's been a fun ol' week around here with a hideous toothache, followed up with antibiotics which left me feeling a little worse for wear and not moving too far from the couch for a while, but I'm on the mend so all is good. It's going to be a miserably rainy and blustery weekend and since the husb is heading away offshore for the week tomorrow, I plan to make some inroads on the new website finally and hopefully catch up on some well overdue blog reading...
Have a lovely weekend!! Kxo

A classic country affair via Snippet & Ink {photo; Leah McCormick}

Palm Springs weddings are always achingly hip!... via 100 Layer Cake {photo; Sean Flanigan}

If I wore ties I'd be wearing a stripy one like this groom!... via Ruffled {photo; Michele M Waite}

Gotta love a swing shot...not to mention a huge bunch of peonies... via Ruffled {photo; Dixie Pixel} 

Two dresses.... lucky bride!!... via The Pretty Blog {photo; Wil Punt}

Link Love

Can you believe it's June in mere days? How did that happen? It's crazy and a little scary how time seems to continue to speed up. Don't you just want to slow down the ride sometimes!! I know I certainly do. Although I'd quite happily skip through the rainy months we have ahead of us and just hit summer again (when time is most welcome to slow down of course :-)... and looking through all the amazing weddings this week hasn't helped diminish my craving for sun, beach and sand! Today I'm off to style a French Dinner Party with these fabulous ladies and this clever cookie... can't wait, fingers crossed it all turns out! I even worked on a DIY project for this one which I'm kinda proud of (me and DIY aren't really a happening thing!!). And then my reward is a lovely dinner out with the hubby (not before a rushed shopping trip after the shoot for something to wear cause yes I'm in dire need), before we go tree shopping on Sunday. Yep we're mixing it up this weekend! Hope you have something wonderful planned!! K xo

A ridiculously gorgeous beach style shoot that I want to be transported to NOW... via Style Me Pretty {photo; KT Merry}
If I could have a re-do... in California... I'd be considering this venue... via Green Wedding Shoes {photo; Katie Neal}
The prettiest wedding you ever did see... via Elizabeth Ann Designs {photo; Kate Headley}
This wedding is all delightful peaches and cream... via Hey Gorgeous {photo; Belathee}
Check out the amazing chalkboard platform in this wedding... via The Loveliest Day {photo; Sybrand Cillie}

Link Love

There were a lot of beautiful weddings this week and as usual it's SO hard to keep up with it all... particularly now that SMP has launched their new destination blogs... is anyone else finding it hard to keep on top of all the prettiness? Whilst I'm a bit late on this I want to send out a huge congratulations to Sofia & Andre from Brancoprata on the launch on their new look website and blog, and also to Kristi from Luna & Chloe who has launched a fabulous new business Over the Moon Vintage Rentals.

Have a lovely weekend everyone! K xo

Beautiful relaxed Australian wedding via Style Me Pretty {photo; NJOY the Moment}
Magical light in this engagement shoot via Once Wed {photo; Nancy Neil}
This wedding has me dying to visit Savannah via Snippet & Ink {photo; Jen Huang}
You'll wanna talk a long walk in a park looking at this engagement shoot via Polka Dot Bride {photo; Photography by Nadean}
Such a fun wedding... of course when the groom can pull off a plaid bowtie and peacock feather boutonniere it was bound to be... via Polka Dot Bride {photo; Christine Lim / Ruby Yeo}

Link Love

Hands up who got a lot more done in the past 24 hours with blogger being out of action (cue throwing hands up in the air!!) I ended Friday with a great feeling of satisfaction that I'd made some serious inroads into my to-do list, which has got to be a good way to start the weekend. Now I'm off to spend a few hours in the kitchen trying a new to me dessert for a dinner party... wish me luck!! Hopefully Blogger will restore the fabulous wedding I had up yesterday too! Have a wonderful weekend everyone! K xo

I have a thing for vintage trucks so of course I love this engagement session via Postcards & Pretties {photo; Joyeuse Photography}
Who wouldn't want to a tractor ride at their wedding.... via 100 Layer Cake {photo; Love made Visible}
I am gaga over this brides reception dress... plus a wedding cricket match (love!)... via 100 Layer Cake {photo; Caught the Light}
Sweet country DIY perfection via Ruffled {photo; Emily Johnston Anderson}
Adorably cute ranch engagement shoot via Forget Me Knot Weddings {photo; Brandon Kidd}

Link Love

So I'm guessing there will be a lot of rather tired people this morning... whether staying up late to catch the most famous nuptials of our time or getting up at a ridiculously early hour to get a glimpse of the now infamous 'double kiss'. We were quite lucky with the timing here in New Zealand... 10pm on a Friday night is a lot more civilised than some of the hours I saw my fellow bloggers tweeting up a storm about it.
Now I have to admit I wasn't big on a whole build up to the royal wedding, I didn't know a whole lot about it, didn't do any posts about it, and wasn't giddy with excitement about it, but I was always going to watch out of curiosity to see what Kate was wearing. But once I sat down to it... (cozied up with the girls on the bed whilst the boys watched various balls being thrown around a field/court) I was surprised by just how exciting it was to witness and at the end of the day who doesn't love a good love story. The whole pomp and ceremony of the occasion is something we'll never see anywhere else, and the history of it all is so unique. I loved seeing the boys in their uniforms, and of course Westminster Abbey is so resplendent in all it's glory. It seriously gave me a case of feeling homesick for London that's for sure!!
So whilst I'm not usually one to analyse these things too much I'll give you my quick rundown... I thought Kate looked exquisite, loved the lace on her dress, and the v-neck line. And I also suprisingly did love the tiara with the veil... not usually a tiara girl, but firstly I don't think she could have got away with not wearing one, and secondly loved the way it worked with that veil... which was stunning by the way! I thought Pippa's dress was a step up from the usual royal bridesmaids... loved the style, it was a far more risque and sexy look than I think most anticipated (I won't even go near what the boys said about her!!) and I can see that's going to be copied a lot in the coming years. I was however disappointed in the flower girls... you could have been looking back 30 years to Princess Di's wedding, they just looked way too traditional for my personal liking. I would have liked to see something a little more modern, perhaps with a touch of colour. There were also some very questionable outfits from other members of the royal family (Eugenie anyone?) Anyhoo that's my 2 cents worth... what were your thoughts?

Fabulous fun and colours in this vintage carnival wedding via Hey Gorg {photo; Yvonne Wong}

I am dying to see this movie... and even more so after this fabulous shoot {photo; Marilyn Nakazato}

An Arboretum... what a beautiful place to get married!! {Photo; Caroline Tran}

Vineyard wedding, stunning florals, rustic outdoors... my kinda wedding via Style Me Pretty {photo; Anne Robert}

A classic pretty & pink girly wedding with the sweetest of cakes via Hey Gorg {photo; Lizelle Lotter}

Link Love

Just a couple of links for you this week... I'll be doing some major catching up on blog reading this weekend since it's forecast for rain!! And because I've been incredibly remiss this week and totally forgot to announce the winner of the stationery giveaway we held last week I had better do it today... so without further delay the winner is... Ros!!! Ros said 'We're getting married on 6th Jan next year and if we were able to choose it would definitely be Letteria! It's a totally cool design that would fit with us and our wedding style perfectly. We’d choose it because it’s fun, stylish and all round perfect!'

Yah... that's one of my favourite designs!! Congratulations Ros, I'll be in touch soon. Have a great weekend everyone! K xo

Gotta love a safari inspired wedding via 100 Layer Cake {photo; OneLove Photography}

Cute engagement shoot in a field... my favourite kind... via Green Wedding Shoes {photo; Kristen & Brandon Kidd}

A sweet fall wedding at a plantation via Style Me Pretty {photo; Kellan Studios}

Link Love

Yah it's the weekend... and the sun is shining!! Which is lovely after the wee taster of wet cooler weather we had this week! There were some stunningly gorgeous venue's showcased in some of the real weddings I spotted this week... take this twinkly one top left... wouldn't you just love to dine under that beautiful canopy? I certainly would... or a little intimate picnic under a tree draped with beads and flowers? Or perhaps having a break out zone in a fall hued Aspen field (top left)... just looking at that makes me happy! Whatever makes you happy I hope you find some of it this weekend, K xo

The mother of all weddings - which I'm sure will feature on many favourites this week via Style Me Pretty {photo; Aaron Delesie} - be sure to check out the welcome dinner as well!

Gorgeous florals {by Ariella Chezar}, beautiful dress detail, stunning venue via The Brides Cafe {photo; Suzy Clement}
A gorgeous inspiration shoot via The Sweetest Occasion {photo; Lavender & Twine}

Polka Dots & Bowties in this engagement shoot via Polka Dot Weddings {photo; Matthew Mead}

A sunlit vintage engagement session via Hey Gorgeous {photo; Kay English}

Link Love

Something a little different for this weeks link love... it's all about some of the gorgeous bouquets I saw last week. My favourite style of bouquet is one that's filled with lots of variety and texture, and is definitely not too perfect. I love it when they look handpicked, rustic and organic... the spherical ball of roses just isn't for me sorry. Some of my favourite blooms and foliage to include; lambs ear, ranunculus, dahlias, dusty miller, peonies, paperwhites, cabbage roses, silver brunia... and I also love the unexpected addition of fruit/vege as well... berries, artichokes etc.
Be sure to tune in next week when I celebrate the two year anniversary of Magnolia Rouge. You'll get a break from hearing my voice every day... I have some fabulous guest bloggers to inspire you, and also a Ruby & Willow stationery giveaway... woot woot!! Until then, have a fabulously happy weekend! K xo

Lavender perfect via Style Me Pretty {photo; Samm Blake}

Kathryn from Snippet & Ink recently got married and her entire wedding is a must see... her bouquet is utter loveliness {photo; Elizabeth Messina}

The colours in this bouquet from Forget Me Knot Weddings are so lovely and subtle and I love the inclusion of succulents... perfect for this gorgeous Palm Spring wedding {photo; Joy Marie Photography}

Love the addition of Kale cabbage in this bouquet via Grey Likes Weddings {photo; Braedon Photography}

Gotta love a protea bouquet and of course yet another pretty South African wedding!! Via The Loveliest Day {photo; Nikki Meyer}

Link Love

Morning. It's a little quiet around the blogosphere today whilst I know many of my fellow bloggers are being 'silent' today on the For Japan with Love fundraising campaign. (Obviously that was yesterday for me!). Lydia and the girls from Utterly Engaged set a goal of raising $5500 to pay for some Shelter Boxes to be sent to Japan... well as of writing this the figure is now $42,945!!! That's just staggering!!! And amazing to see how the power of social networking has made this happen through over 1000 bloggers taking part and spreading the word. If you would like to donate click here.

A few lovelies that I spotted this week... Have a fabulous weekend everyone! Kxo

Don't you just want to hang this chandelier in your living room? I know I do {by Christan P Photography via from Forget me Knot Weddings}...
Yet another masterpiece from the genius that is Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty...
Timeless rustic charm from Meg Smith via Snippet & Ink...
The sweetest of farm weddings by Anna Robin via Once Wed...
What an amazing ceremony spot by Jessica Verlarde via Grey Likes Weddings...

Link Love

Phew it's the weekend and as of writing this it's well and truly raining out there... AND whilst it may not please everyone (particularly today's brides - sorry!!) I for one am kinda happy about it!! Do you know how hard it is when you have a tonne of work to do at the weekend and the sun is constantly shining!!  Don't get me wrong we've had such an amazing summer and I LOVE it to be sunny oh about 90% of the time but occasionally a good rainy day so you can stay indoors guilt free doesn't go amiss. (even if it does feel like a tropical hothouse in here!) We also have gardening to do this weekend and after a dry few months the rain has come at the perfect time! Well there was certainly no shortage of pretty inspiration around this week!! Just a few things that caught my eye...
Have a wonderful weekend come rain or shine... Kxo

A Woodlands wedding oozing with DIY details and personality {by Jeremy Harris}...

Insanely elegant and stylish affair from Elizabeth Messina...

Really want to have a Mexican themed party after seeing this {by Cake Ink Events}...

This would have to be in my top five dream wedding venues {by Tinywater Photography}...

Oodles of colour + ballet flats = winning combo! {by Kate Osborne}

Link Love

Boy am I glad it's the weekend... this week has been non-stop and I'm sitting here about to collapse onto the keyboard such is the effort to keep my eyes open!! Definitely plan to take some time out this weekend and I have date night (dinner & a movie) with the Mr tonight so have that to look forward to!! I have spent a fun couple of afternoons with the very lovely Sofia & Andre from Brancoprata in Portugal as well as Steph from Bubblerock. We worked on a little project together of which we hope to have a peek for you next week. I'm quite sad they're leaving, it's been fabulous to get together with a blogger/stylist from the other side of the world and chat about weddings and compare them between our countries!

On a more sobering note I have to mention how harrowing a week it's been for our small country. Watching the devastation of the Earthquake has been incredibly emotional and heart wrenching. It's at times like this you have the remember at the end of the day it's not about the cake, or the flowers or the perfect shade of blue for your bridesmaids... it's about marrying the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. So to both Emily and Claire... two of my lovely clients who are getting married today... I wish you the best wedding day ever!! And to the people of Christchurch and all the families who have lost loved ones, you continue to be in my thoughts.

Love all the wood details in this wedding...
A pretty southern affair...
A love story...
A little backyard beauty...

Link Love

Well if you're getting married this weekend, it's a stunner if you're around my neck of the woods!! This is probably one of the most popular weekends of the year for weddings so I imagine there will be a lot of very happy brides out there (unlike a couple of years back when both the two most popular weekends had torrential rainstorms!). I am planning to head to the beach for a relaxing Saturday afternoon... I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I've had little to no beach time this summer, which is terrible considering it's right on my doorstep and whilst I have had a few weekends away to make up for it, I do miss that chilled out beach time, so today I'm rectifying it! Have a super dooper awesome weekend kids and if you are one of the lucky one's getting married today, all the best to you xo

This may possibly be one of my favourite shoots E.V.E.R... {by Bows & Arrows}

Beautifully captured wedding and goldfish in centrepieces!! {A Bryan Photography}

Inspired by the sweetest love story... {Easy Dreamer Photography}

Breathtaking setting for this wedding... {Allyson Magda Photography}

Also if you want to be in to win a fantastic prize of free wedding photography AND an engagement or day after session from 13:13 Photography be sure to head over to Postcards & Pretties to see details.

 Your vote would mean the world to me! Thank you xo

The Lovelies 2011 award

Link Love

Even though it's been a short week for me, there was an abundance of gorgeous details on the blogs this week. So much prettiness!! I am currently down in the Wine Country (the gorgeous Hawkes Bay) for the Sting concert tonight so I'm very excited about that.... and well it's just nice to get out of Auckland. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! K xo

Oh and before I sign off... a big FAT Happy Birthday to my dad (aka poppa/snowman)!! I know you'll be reading this at some point on your Saturday morning... sorry we can't be there to celebrate with you... but we'll see you on Monday... yes that's an rsvp to the dinner invite which you probably don't know about - thanks very much!

So many gorgeous florals and details in this Anthropologie inspired wedding...
Loving the muted tones of this winter shoot by this clever lady...
A gorgeous romantic Valentines shoot with the tastiest looking sweet treats...
You've gotta love an English Country Wedding... the gate alone looks inviting...
Beautiful vintage details in this Louisiana Wedding... check out the car!