Board#182: Cotton & Cocoa

Finally we've had almost a whole week of no rain in Auckland... in fact it was positively beautifully autumn like last week!! Possibly our longest rain free stretch for months and months? Alas this week it's back to stormy windy weather! I'm praying to the weather gods that they turn it back on for next week as we have friends visiting from the US and are taking the week off to go on a bit of a road trip... including walking the Tongariro Crossing all going well!! I'm dying to do it so fingers crossed the sun comes out to play!!
We had a very productive week around our house... in between looking after Lady Charlie of course (boy oh boy she can be hard work! She's lucky she's so damn cute!!). Painted our front door green (love it!!), hung some pictures and mirrors up, got most the outside of the house washed, organised and tidied cupboards, planted a little garden corner that needed tidying up, caught up with friends for brunch, sorted out some light fittings, decorated a few spots in the house and I also managed to do my colour story shoot for Issue 3!! Phew that makes me feel tired just typing that list out. I LOVE organising and getting things done... I just wish I could feel that motivated all of the time!! On today's agenda... emails, emails, emails!!! If you're expecting one from me, today's the day!!
Today's board has us looking towards winter a bit... all warm and cosy!! How amazing is that cotton wreath? Would you stick to neutrals for your winter wedding or inject some colour into your scheme?

Photos from top left; Hot Chocolate | Tina Rupp, Pinecone Wreath | via Martha Stewart, Hot Chocolate on silver platter | Corbin Gurkin, Cotton Wreath | via Martha Stewart Weddings, Bride in Cotton Field | Simply Bloom, Cake | via Style Me Pretty, Interior | Ditte Isager, Cupcakes | Simply Bloom, Bride with veil | BHLDN

Board#165: French Lace

If you're anything like me you'll be yearning for a European holiday after seeing this board. Oh to be wandering the cobblestone streets of Salzburg, travelling through the lovely villages in the South of France, exploring the narrow alley ways of Venice, taking in the beauty of the fiords in Norway, gazing up at the amazing churches in Estonia... I could go on forever! I feel so lucky that I have managed to see a lot of Europe but it's been a few years now and I am itching to return, quite simply to just wander and soak it all up. When I travel I just love to explore (the husband not so much... he likes to know what we're doing!!) and see how the other half live. I always want to immerse myself into their lives just for a short spell! Anyhow before I get too carried away with my soliloquy, where does this board take you to? Or where does it have you wanting to visit? Wherever it is I'm sure you'll agree it makes for the prettiest of wedding inspiration right? Living in a young country like New Zealand we don't have these types of amazing buildings and I always think they make for the most elegant of venues.

Photos; Bride in Ruffle dress and Lace dress | Polly Alexandre, Ivory Cake | Jose Villa, Tablesetting | styled by Jill La Fleur, photo by Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty, Car | Polly Alexandre, Le Domaine aux Quat Saisons by Polly Alexandre, Courtyard | Cooper Carras via Snippet & Ink

Board#82: Organic Outdoors

Morning folks. Was anyone else as fixated to the Chilean Miners rescue last night? Shows us just how great the human spirit is doesn't it? I have to admit I was in tears more than once!

Now onto more frivolous things... weddings (although obviously still heartfelt and meaningful, I'm just talking about the pretties!) This outdoor ceremony under the big (oak?) tree with wine barrels at the end of the aisle is my idea of the perfect outdoor ceremony. Sun slowing setting, evening birdsong, perhaps an acoustic guitar accompanying your walk down the aisle... ahh, bliss!

Photos from top left; Ceremony | Jose Villa, Girl in Glasshouse | Olivia Graham, Lemonade Sign | J&M Marantz
2nd row; Flowers in apothercary jar | Poppies & Posies, Lace Hankie | Joey & Jessica via Style Me Pretty, Outdoor Tables | unknown, Rustic Altar | Heather Curiel
3rd row; Bouquet | Millie Holloman , Couple with bike | Hearblack, Cheese platter | Elizabeth Messina

Board#65: A Subdued Romance

Hey there... how was your weekend? We're kicking off the week with a pretty inspiration board in some lovely subtle muted tones.... you could actually bring in a few different shades for this look, just keep them all quite faded so they don't overwhelm. I would have bridesmaids all choose their own style of dress in varying tones to give it an eclectic mismatched look... and how gorgeous do these shell coloured shoes with the grey tights look? Tables I would keep very pared back, simple but elegant, with a mix of cut glass vases full with white hydrangeas, and some lovely vintage white china. Stationery would be very 'clean' with stunning calligraphy.

Photos from top left; Menu by Jose Villa, Shoes via Style Me Pretty, Candy Table unknown, Invitation by White Album Weddings via Style Me Pretty
2nd row; Bouquet by Jen Kroll, White Jug by Simply Bloom via 100 Layer Cake, Couple on rail tracks by Erin hearts Court
3rd row; Photo by Simply Bloom, Stationery by Jose Villa, Bouquet by Alexandra Kolendrianos via Style Me Pretty

What's your wedding style? VI

Oooo I am so loving these colours right now!! Reminds me of picnics and strawberry jam (yes I know obvious....red!) but it's all very inviting. Now if only that sun would come out to play! I have to admit I prefer most colours accents with a chocolate brown or taupe as opposed to strong black....but then ask anyone who know's me and I am rather obsessed with brown & natural. Always have been, always will be. It just works with everything! The red here is such a warm contrast to the neutrals.....I love it with hessian, rustic hemp string, and ticking cloth. And we all know that I love me a rustic affair!!



This is a custom design folded invite we did some time ago. We don't do too many folded card styles but I do love it with the contemporary belly band which contrasts so nicely with the quite classic invitation featuring a handdrawn rose. Again we've mixed it up combining patterns and the use of the lattice pattern ties in nicely with the rose/garden theme. And the piece de resistance....that fabulous B which followed through to all the day of stationery as well. For more stationery go here.

What's your wedding style? IV

Phew, have made it to Friday..... it's been THE busiest week with no end in sight right now. Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic to have all this work on but with a long weekend ahead and with the promise of some sun, I really want to have a whole day off and get out amongst it! Which means I must. be. super. productive!! And hey another reason to celebrate....we've made it to 100 posts! Our first milestone!



I've think neutral colours like taupe, sand, and donkey grey look gorgeous with all colours but it's particularly nice paired with tones of blue. For this as well as the duck-egg blue you often see it with, it's nice to have a bolder shade thrown into the mix as well. To see more style boards like this click here. This vintage style invitation is a new addition to our Signature Collection - just hasn't quite made it onto the website yet!