Under the Sea

So as I stated in this post, in a few months we will be moving into that adorable little cottage.  And of course my head has been swimming with design ideas.  This is our current bedspread. We registered for it from Pottery Barn last year and I absolutely love it.

photo via Pottery Barn and no that isn't our bedroom but the one from the website. *le sigh*

It has a very beachy feel to it. And even though Winston-Salem isn't on the coast, I've still been visiting Coastal Living for some decorating ideas. Which is where I found this gem.

photo via Coastal Living

I think with the right furniture and throw pillows this would work well with our current duvet! 

Since the Mr. is from south Alabama near the gulf, I had always thought we would have a beach wedding.  {We ended up having more of a backyard barn bbq wedding and you can see some of our photos here and here}  If we had though, I would have loved to put some of these ideas to use!

Photo Credits
Top Row: Coastal Living decor, Amazing shift dress for $320 by BHLDN, Awesome Starfish headband for $30 from etsy seller Bohemian Bombshell
Middle Row: Starfish chair decorations via The Knot, Alternative starfish boutonniere via The Knot
Bottom Row: Simple starfish centerpiece via The Knot, Perfect starfish necklace for $25 via etsy seller Two Little Doves, Yummy Marzipan and Graham Cracker sand starfish cupcake via Martha Stewart recipe here

Hey maybe I could redesign that dream beach wedding into a fabulous wedding invite. I would use the starfish motif of course with simple blue and white color scheme. I would totally put the invitation on kraft paper for a sandy rustic beach house feel and use a mix of script and sans script fonts.

Now I want to plan my wedding all over again. There is always vow renewal! Is a year anniversary too soon to throw another party?

Save the Date-Wake Forest Style

 Break out the black and gold cupcakes!

photo via Cupcakes Take The Cake

So if you know me or happened to read my frantic tweets from March 17th, then you'll know the Mr. got accepted as a resident at Wake Forest Baptist Health so we will be moving to Winston-Salem, NC in mid-June.

Wake Forest's new logo

Since Winston-Salem is home to Wake Forest University I better invest in some black and gold to wear to the occasional athletic event to cheer on the Demon Deacon's.  {Don't worry UGA my heart is always with you}

photo via WF Athletics

I'm thinking this sequin number may be just perfect. Maybe with some tax return money considering it's $160.

photo via Theoutnet

Of course with this big change also means we will be moving into a new place that hopefully has a little more space. Fingers cross we can afford loft living! Maybe I should give this black and gold color scheme a chance.  I went to LampsPlus.com for some inspiration and found 3 items that strike my fancy.

Mosaic Lamp for $179.91

Black and Gold lamp shade for $9.99

Black and Gold mirror for $195

Hey maybe I could redesign that mirror and those lamps into fun Save the Date cards. We didn't go with traditional photo Save the Dates-you can see our real ones here. However, if we had I think we would have used one of our engagement photos from our photog, Rob Ingram.

Which one do you like best? Anyone have any design connections in Winston-Salem? If so leave a comment and let me know!

And the Award Goes To...

This Sunday marks the 83rd Annual Academy Awards and sure it's fun to see who wins but it is more fun to plop down in front of the TV and watch E!'s red carpet and see who is wearing who.

In honor of the golden statue I thought I would dedicate this post to all things gold inspired.

photo via Oscars

 And if you need some background music I have always enjoyed this little diddy by Jill Scott, Golden.



So maybe you you don't have Rachel Zoe styling you this Sunday. Or maybe you loaned your golden Oscar de la Renta gown out to Cameron Diaz and she hasn't returned it.  Either way, I feel like you can still sparkle and shine this Sunday.

photo via Harper's Bazaar

photo via Access Hollywood

I think the key is taking care of your accessories from your "tips" to your "toes."  And the ridiculously fashionable and beautiful Emily from the blog, Cupcakes and Cashmere, perfected the gold manicure when she posted this:

photo via Cupcakes and Cashmere

As for your toes, I own a few metallic pairs of shoes.  But  my absolute favs are none other than my Jessica Simpson's.  Like I said in a previous post, love her or hate her the girl has got some fashion sense.  I heart them so much that they had to make an appearance in my engagement photos.  I've mentioned her before, but Amy from the blog, ToDo  is also a budding photog and she did a fab job.

photo via Amy

So now that we have our nails and shoes down, let's get to the real reason for this post.  I have had my eye on this gorgeous necklace from etsy seller, Ashleigh, of  Birdseed Crafts.  I am awe-inspired by her blog where she talks about her 2011 goal of turning her hobby into a full time career.  I am also tempted not to link this necklace for fear someone will snatch it up before my payday.  It's only $32 which is a small price to pay!

how sassy is her model!?

photo via Birdseed Crafts

So go paint your nails, put on your fancy metallic shoes, buy a fab necklace and turn on the Oscars.  Oh and why not bake and decorate these little cupcakes? Martha Stewart would.

photo via Martha Stewart

Hey, maybe I could redesign that golden fashion palate into an Oscar party invitation.  I will try as hard as I can to translate that sparkle on paper and even emulate that adorable necklace. These charming square invites would definitely be enclosed in metallic gold envelopes just like the winners' names.

Let's be honest, I will probably be coming straight from yoga and end up falling asleep watching the ceremony on the couch this Sunday!

Paper Chandeliers

I wore these rocking earrings today. My fab friend and author the adorable Fashionplate Cheapskate blog, Christen, gave them to me.

They honestly make any outfit I wear instantly better. And oddly I own a lot of teal outfits that work well with the gemstone.  I think something about dangling, cascading earrings instantly add glam to my day.   They also make me think of my dining room chandelier.  The house was built in the 1920s so I can only imagine the light fixture emulates the roaring 20s fashion.

I feel very Great Gatsby when I am in the dining room. But we also have this other pretty chandy in our foyer.  I am still looking for the perfect side table for that area.

I am also digging the idea of a bold chandelier as a piece of art work. I mean this would inspire me to wake up early just so I could sit down at my breakfast table and bask in the glow of this:

photo via House Beautiful

Chandeliers have always had an impact on fashion and honestly they still do to this day. Just check out the designs by Luis Valenzuela from The Green Show at this week's New York Fashion Week.  His eco-friendly designs are made from recycled fabrics and materials such as lamp shades, brick bark and chandeliers.

photo via Treehugger

Even Prada had a few chandy inspired pieces from their Spring 2010 ready to wear collection. I think she forgot to wear a slip though-how embarrassing!

photo via Style.com

If you notice the shoes in that photo, rumor has it only 3 pairs were sent to the US from that collection.  So if you must have a pair of chandelier inspired kicks then BCBG offers a more wearable pair for around $195.

photo via BCBG

And if you literally want to wear a chandy then Overstock.com will send you this little number for $99.

photo via Overstock.com

 I also have realized that cupcakes and chandeliers go hand in hand.  When we were at Fresh Cupcakes the other weekend they had these delicate petite chandeliers hanging around the bakery.

And if you happen to live in the UK you can even order cupcakes with chandeliers on them! Right? I know! How genius is that? For £42 you can order 6 of these little darlings from Peggy's Cupcakes in London

photo via Not on the High Street

 Maybe I could redesign that chandelier into a party invite.  I would definitely serve cupcakes and cocktails. This invite needs to be a bit fancier like the subject we are redesigning. So I would get them cut in a circular shape and definitely insert them into a metallic or sparkly envelope!

Well I already have some leftover Valentine's cupcakes that my husband baked me. Hmmm I wonder is it too early for a cocktail?

PaperCakes

I am heart serious when it comes to cupcakes. My best friend bakes them with love. No lie. I have seen her recipe and I'm pretty sure it calls for 2 cups of love.  Just recently we FINALLY got a cupcakery in town- Gigi's Cupcakes. Life is now better.

Today's design inspiration hails from these tiny little cakes. I thought it would be fun to redesign that cupcake into some calling cards for different occasions.

First up Birthday Wishes!
And appropriately, Gigi has a very colorful cupcake called, Birthday Surprise.

photo via Gigi's Cupcakes

attach this cute little note to any birthday gift and you are sure to bring a smile

Next up Cheers!
Who doesn't love a new bottle of wine to celebrate life's joys.  Luckily you can bring them cupcakes and a $12 bottle of wine from Cupcake Vineyards.

photo via Cupcake Vineyard

attach this to a ribbon and tie it around a lovely bottle of merlot

And finally Give!
Because sometimes it's better to give than to receive, so why don't you tie on this adorable apron from etsy seller, Sassyapron, and bake up a batch of  your very own.

available on etsy for only $34.95 from Sassyapron

tape this little note on top of your baker's dozen

Oh no! My sweet tooth just woke up and I already brushed my teeth.  Maybe I'll just print out these Papercakes instead.